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MEMOIRS 

OP THE 

REV. AMMI ROGERS, A. M. 

m ■-■-_ p 
A Clergyman of the Episcopal Ghurck* 

*DS#ATED AT YALE COLLEGE IN CONNECTICUT, ORDaSeD **>' TRIN- 
ITY CHURCH IN THE CITY «F NEW-YORK,— 

PERSECUTE?) IN THE STATE OP CONNECTICUT, #N ACCOUNT Of f.t- 
LISIOH AND POLITICS, FOR ALMOST TWENTY YEARS; 

And finally, 

tausslx accuses anb sxon&iBomD 

tii Norwich Jail, for two years, on the charge of Crimes said to have 

been committed in the town of Griswold, in the County 

of New-London, when he was not within about 

ONE HUNDRED MILES OF THE PLACE, 

And of which he was absolutely as innocent as the Judge who pro- 
nounced the sentence, or as any other person in the world. 

...w2£SO~ 

AN INDEX TO THE HOLY BIBLE ; 

And % concise view of the Authority , Doctrine, md Worship, m 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. 



COMPOSED, COMPILED, AND WRITTEN BY THE SAID 

I* I 
Late Rector of St. Peter's Church in Hebron, Toiland Co* Conn. &<j 



"I* it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ? Behold and see, if there M any Ur 
m *?tee unto my sorrow, which is done unto me," —Jeremiah, 

£■ fc*. ' 

" Quis taliafando temperet a lacrymq^%t$Mtt0zPj&~ 
. \v • ° ~" 

M Who can refrain from tears at the relation of such things^?* 

THIRD EDlTlStfs 

With additions, omissions and alteraiiojif 

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. 

PRINTED BY J. W. COFELANO. 

a830. 



^ 







f 

COPY-RIGHT, AC. 

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, SS, 

s BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the tenth day of 
I January in the forty-eighth year of the Independence 
of the United States of America, Ammi Rogers ot the 
■zs said District, hath deposited in this Office the title of a 
Cook, the right whereof he claims as Author in the worcs following, 
C« wit :-« Memoirs of the Rev. Ammi Rogers A. M. a clergyman of 
« die Episcopal Church, educated at Yale College, in Connecticut, 
-ordained in I Trinity Church, in the City of ^w-Vork » &c. 

In conformity to the act of the Congress ot the United States, en- 
titled "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
-copies of of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprie- 
tors of such copies ^^^^^^^L of the 

District of Connecticut, 
A true copy of Record, ^* ^SSSKW f the 

District of Connecticut. 

From the Free Press and Independent Reporter, p>inted in the 
Zj ojlivtjord, in Connecticut, desired to «» and pvc an ojnn^ 

M given in evidence. 



TO THE READER* 

WHEN a citizen, by groundless prejudice, by false rep- 
resentations and by palpable perjuries, has been made a vic- 
tim to ecclesiastical denunciations and civil prosecutions; 
when the privileges arising from civil liberty and religious 
freedom have been wrested from him, he still has one privi- 
lege leftj the privilege of complaining. A statement of his 
case, and an appeal to the public, is the dernier resort of an 
- injured man ; such an appeal supported by satisfactory evi- 
dence, secures a sentence in favour of the oppressed. TY> 
disregard such a sentence would not be just, and even if it 
were just, it would not be possible. 

There has been, for years past, much animadversion on 
the union of Church and State. I have practically felt the 
operation of this two fold chord which is now happily bro- 
ken in Connecticut, and which has almost prostrated me tn 
the destruction of it. But I still survive, and amidst the 
heavy artillery of a departed Bishop, and the artful mach- 
inations and cruel batteries of a Connecticut State's Attor- 
ney, I have been sustained by a consciousness of my inno- 
cence, and by the blessing of that merciful Being "who 
tempers the wind to the shorn lamb," I live to make this 
my last effort through the press, which, Heaven be prais- 
ed, is still untrammeled, to evince my innocence and my in- 
tegrity. 

Equal justice is due to all men, and the lovers of truth 
are so far the lovers of God. I cannot therefore but in- 
dulge the hope, that an enlightened and compassionate pub- 
lic will give the following pages an attentive readmg^and 
an impartial consideration. To render railing for railing is 
no part of my profession, and to expose the real faults of 
my fellow-citizens is no pleasure to me, and I intend not tt> 
do it, any further forth, than a religious regard to duty shall 
compel me. All human tribunals, whether civil or'eccfe- 
siastical, may and do err, and that which has been solemn- 
ly approved and sanctioned at one time, has been no less 
solemnly disproved and discarded at another. But without 
referring to former examples, those of a receot date wilj 
serve my purpose. 



!n Vac year 1819, Stephen and Jesse Bourn were a# 
tedj tried and condemned, in the State of Vermont, for the 
murder of one Colvin, the time and place of their execu- 
tion were appointed, and no doubt of their guilt was indul- 
ged ; but behold, just before the hour of their execution ar- 
rived, the said Colvin returned home hearty and well, and 
had not been injured ! Here was much smoke but no fire — 
no murder, no crime had been committed on the said Col- 
vin, or on any other person by any one. In the year 1820 r 
John C. Decker and Gideon Braman were arrested, tried 
and condemned to hard labour in the State Prison of New- 
York during their natural lives, for a burglary committed 
in Kinderhook ; and after having been con lined and labour- 
ed there about four months, it was undeniably proved that 
the said burglary was committed by George Lanman, and 
that they were entirely ignorant and innocent of the whole 
transaction. They were released and Lanman is now in 
their place. Here again was smoke but no fire, as it re- 
spected them. It is not long since Joseph Inman Was ar- 
arested, tried and condemned to be hung, within the juris- 
diction of Massachusetts, for the murder of Oliver Holmes ; 
but before the time of execution arrived, Judge Arnold, in 
passing through the town of Dedham, or its vicinity, met 
the said Holmes on the road, hearty and well, had not been 
injured. The Judge knew him, took him into his carriage, 
conveyed him to the proper authority, and saved the life of 
the said Inman. It is not long since a man of East Hart- 
ford was arrested, tried before the Superior Court of Con- 
necticut, for forging a note ; he was declared guilty, con- 
demned and imprisoned in Newgate. But it was after- 
wards proved that the said note wos forged by one Peek, 
and that he was innocent of the crime ; he was released 
arid Peck run away. It is not long since two men by the 
name of Snow were arrested, in the County of "Windham 
and State of Connecticut, for burning a paper mill in that 
place. They were tried before the Superior Court, de- 
clared guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment in Newgate 
state prison, in Simsbury mines, for life, and there they 
both died, constantly protesting their innocence to their last 
breath ; and it is now beyond a doubt that they were falsely 
accused and unjustly condemned, and that the building wa* 



N 



'&■ 



burnt by one Salter, who, it is said, has since confessed it* 
It is not long since a Mr. Berger was arrested, tried, con- 
demned, and underwent the most exemplary and severe 
punishment in Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, for steal- 
ing $1,000 from a widow woman ; he was whipped, crop- 
ped, branded, and sentenced to six months imprisonment In 
irons ; but within a few weeks the money was found and 
recovered from a man in Virginia ; and undeniably proved 
that Berger v*as entirely innocent of the crime. In the 
year 1819, James Lanman, Esq. for party , sectarian^ and 
political purposes ; and to destroy me as minister of the Gos- 
pel, brought an information against me for committing crimes 
with Asenith Caroline Smith, a single woman, in Griswold, 
in the count}/ of New-London, and state of Connecticut. — 
In October, 1820, I had my trial, (if it can be called a tft- 
al,)- the particulars of which will be stated hereafter. I 
was declared guilty, suffered two years imprisonment in tlm 
common jail in Norwich in said county; and within a few 
months after! was released, Iproved beyond all contradic- 
tion, before a joint committee of both houses of the honoura- 
ble Gen. Assembly of Connecticut, in the Senate chamber, 
in the city of Hartford, that I was not, and for a long tiirsfe 
had not been within about one hundred miles of Griswolct, 
or of the said Aseneth, where, and when the crimes were 
committed, if they vjere ever committed hy any one ; nay, she 
herself appeared in person before the said committee m the 
said Senate chamber, and made solemn oath, which cer- 
tainly was true, that I was absolutely innocent of the whole 
transaction, for which, on her account, I had unjustly suf~ 
fered two year's imprisonment ; that she had been over- 
persuaded, and hired by the said Lanman and others, to 
accuse me falsely, and to commit perjury, which had bn> 
ken her peace of mind, and caused her more sorrow, troul^ 
le, and tears, than all the transactions of ber life b^de* 

This her confession and testimony w^ re sup^, r t-d by the 
testimony of others, and my inno^nce c^not but be at* 
parent to eve ry unprejud i ced mi nd , Qh, how I fear ! ho^ 

Hi is said that on his cK««k u^ ~i i T~7 Z iTl 

Salter confessed tha* • m k • h < ^ and not lwa ho " rs be /° re he W 
\y against the*', nlm *«if burnt that paper mil), and swore fake 

ferecf tleatk - s r T° m %^ ty which they were condemned and sri 



1 tremble ! how I feel for those poor, unfortunate, miserable 
creatures who have committed, and been accessary to the 
dreadful sin of perjury ! have they indeed formed a plan ! 
have they devised means ! have they effected their dread- 
ful purpose of the disgrace, imprisonment, and utter ruin, in 
this world, of an innocent man, of a minister of the Gos- 
pel, of one who had always been their friend ! Oh, how I 
lament, how I deplore and bemoan their sin, their ingrati- 
tude, their baseness ! — " Oh, that my headVere waters, 
and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day 
and night for the slain of the daughter of my people." 

For courts of law to err, is not uncommon ; but the in- 
justice of which I here complain, is neither common nor 
small ; I feel to forgive my enemies, persecutors and slan- 
derers, but I desire that truth and justice may come to light ; 
that perjury, wickedness and vice may be suppressed. u He 
that hath an ear to hear let him hear." In this world the 
justice and goodness of the divine government will often 
escape the satisfaction of the most pious and diligent in- 
quirer; the innocent are often condemned, while the guil- 
ty go clear, and with a fair character. Virtue is condem- 
ned to the punishment of vice, and vice receives the re- 
ward of virtue. Jesus Christ, himself, is born in a man- 
ger, while the murderous Herod, who had put 14,000 chil- 
dren to death, who were two years old and under, ascends 
the throne of Israel. The good St. Paul is a prisoner in 
chains, while the bloody Nero sways the sceptre of the 
whole Roman Empire. The good John Rogers is burnt 
at the stake in Smithtield, by the Roman Catholics, while 
the infamous Bonner is the first Bishop in England. The 
good Lewis the sixteenth is beheaded, while the ambitious 
and hypocritical Bonaparte, who had drenched Europe with 
blood, murdered 6000 men between Java and Gaza in Asia, 
^u<3 changed God's holy Sabbaths to the tenth day, ascends 
the throi.o. f ]? rance . The amiable Major Andre is hung 
at 'West PoiM/jike a thief, and a murderer, while the trai- 
ls and detesie^le Arnold is a Major General. The 
Rev. Ammi Rogers is * prisoner in Norwich, in Connecti- 
cut, while the hypocritical, «oxcomical and detestable James 
.-an, who had maliciously V ought thk prosecution, is 
enator of the United States, while the suborners of per- 



jury in the case of Mr. Rogers are at the bar, or in the fac- 
ulty ; but now by the just judgment of God, are stripped 
of the small portion of respect which they once received. 

That equal justice is always done to all men in this 
world, is not true ; and on this ground, even the heathen 
philosophers very justly argued the existence of a God, 
and the immortality of the soul ; for say they, if there be 
a God, he must be a God of justice ; and since all men do 
not receive equal justice in this world, there must be- a fu- 
ture state of existence, in which the righteous Governor of 
the Universe will evidently distinguish between those who 
love and practice that which is just and good, and those 
who do not. In this world, the best and most moral men, 
the very salt of the earth, are often despised and neglected ; 
nay, they are insulted, scandalized, persecuted, imprisoned, 
and even put to death as the worst of human beings ; while 
cheats, thieves, liars, adulterers, and duelists, who are mur- 
derers ; nay, the very vilest and most profane and immor- 
al men, the very oflseouring of all human society, are ca- 
ressed and admired, are voted for and promoted ; they ride 
upon the high places of the earth, they walk in robes or 
lawn, they are adorned with a crown, or a mitre, and 
are unmindful of their mortality or accountability. But 
the venerable Dr. Watts very excellently describes their 
situation in his paraphrase of the 73 Psalm, when^e-says^ 

"Lord, what a thoughtless wretch was I 

To mourn and murmer and repine, 

To see the wicked placed on high, 

In pride and robes of honour shine, 

But Oh, their end, their dreadful end !" &c. 

In the final judgment of the world, the justice and good- 
ness of the divine government, will be made manifest to 
every understanding. Then shall the innocent be protect- 
- ed, while the guilty are confounded. Then shall the meek, 
. the humble, and the persecuted be exalted and rewarded; 
while the proud, the unjust, the malicious, and oppressive 
shall be brought low and punished. In that day, there will 
be nothing hid which shall not be made manifest, there will 
no deception which shall not be detected, no injustic which 
shall not be rectified ; and unless by faith and repentance 
we come to God, in the appointed means of divine grace, 






8 

we shall ail likewise perish. The justice of God must be 
vindicated, the guilty must be punished, the innocent must 
be protected and rewarded, or the throne of Heaven must 
fall. 

By the deeds of the law no flesh can live. We have all 
sinned and come short of the glory of God : but in, and 
through him " who died for our offences and rose again for 
our justification," every son and daughter of the human race 
may obtain forgiveness and be forever happy with the Lord, 
and with each other. 

Though from my fellow men I have not deserved the 
disgrace, the imprisonment, and the affliction loaded upon 
me, and upon my friends ; yet before that God unto whom 
" all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom 
no secrets are hid," in other respects, I have often offended 
in thought, word and deed, and as I hope and expect God, 
for Christ's sake to forgive me ; so I feel in my heart to 
forgive my enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and pray 
God to turn their hearts. Still I feel it my duty, in the 
promotion of truth and justice, in the suppression of perjury, 
wickedness and vice, and in the conveyance of that knowl- 
edge which may be honorable to God and useful to mankind, 
to lay before the public the following Memoirs, which I 
entreat the reader to peruse with attention, and consider 
with candour; and to believe me his persecuted friend and 
humble servant in the ministry of the Gospel of peace and 
reconciliation in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

A31MI ROGERS. 

Hebron, October lt% 1823. 

O God, merciful Father, who despisestnot the sighing of 
a. contrite heart, nor the desire of such as are sorrowful ; 
mercifully assist my prayers which I make before thee in all 
ray troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress me ; 
and graciously hear me, that those evils which the craft and 
subtilty of the devil or man workelh against me, may, by 
thy good providence, be brought to nought ; that I thy ser- 
vant, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give 
thanks unto thee in thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ 
my Lord ; who hath mercifully taught and expressly com- 
manded me and all others, that when we did pray we 
should say — Our Father who art in Heaven, &c,. 



MEMOIRS, &a 

CHAPTER I. 

A BI0GR3PICJ1L SKETCH OF MY LIFE JiWB 
MINISTRY. 

I, Ammi Rogers, was bom in the town of Branford, in 
the county of New-Haven, in the state of Connecticut, on 
the 26th of May, in the year of our Lord, 1770. My 
father was Thomas Rogers, who departed this life in Bran- 
ford, on the 23d of June, 1804, aged 79. He was the son of 
Josiah Rogers, who departed this life in Branford, about the 
year 1750, aged 86. He came from Long Island, was a 
son of one of three brothers who came from England and 
were grandsons of the celebrated John Rogers, a clergyman 
of the Church of England, burnt by the Roman Catholics* 
in Smithfield, in the first year of the reign of queen Mary, 
1554. My grandfather was one of the proprietors of the 
town of Branford ; he owned and occupied the extensive 
farm and mills which are now owned and occupied by my 
brother Josiah Rogers and which have been in possession 
of the family, from about the earliest settlement of the town-. 
My mother, before she was married was Rebecca Hobart,, 
daughter of Abijah Hobart, of Stonington, in New-London 
county. By him, a relation with the family of Mason is 
claimed ; also, with the Rev. Mr. Hobart, the former Min* 
ister of Fairfield, and his descendants. My grandmother 
Rogers was a Goodsell — my grandmother Hobart, was a 
Bartholomew. My brothers were Abijah, Rufus, Thomas, 
Josiah, Eliphalet and Hobart — my sister was Irene, who is 
married to Thelus Todd— and, except the false and. scanda- 
lous accusations charged upon me, there never was, so far aa 
i know or believe, a stain or even suspicion of immorality 
fixed upon my father or mother, grandfather or grandmoth- 
er, brother or sister. Perhaps there is not in Connecticut 



10 MEM0IR5. 

a family which is and always has been more exempt front 
the practice of every vice, than thaf to which I have the 
honor to belong. In the year 1783, 1 entered the academy 
in Litchfield, under the tuition of Mr. Osbom, and boarded 
in the family of the Hon. Andrew Adams, who was related 
to my father's family. In the year 1786, I entered Yale 
College in New-Haven, under the direction of the Rev. 
Ezra Stiles, President. Here I became more seriously 
impressed with the importance of religion, and the awful 
-concerns of eternity. My parents were pious, and strict in 
the Congregational Presbyterian religion, and I had been 
brought up in that way. 

From my earliest childhood, I had been impressed with 
a sense of God, of his omniscience, omnipresence, omnip- 
otence 5 and of my own accountability. But human inabili- 
ty and human accountability were so contrary to the justice 
and goodness of God, that I sheltered myself under the 
doctrine of unconditional election and foreordination. This 
was taught in my catechism, and if that were true, I was 
safe ; but when I became convicted of my lost and undone 
-condition by nature, and by practice, I perceived that if God 
should enter into judgement with his creatures, by the deeds 
<>f the law, no man living could be justified ; for cursed is 
every one that continueth not in all things written in the 
book of the law to do them, and the law extends to the 
very thoughts of the heart, as well as to the outward actions 
of the body ; that we were called upon to rend our hearts 
and not our garments, to be up and doing while the day 
lasted ; that we were admonished, that now was the accept- 
•ed time, that now was the day of salvation. I perceived that 
I had no power of myself, to help myself : that my suffi- 
ciency for any thing which was good and acceptable to God> 
must come from God, that his grace was sufficient for me 
and for all men ; therefore did he invite all the ends of the 
earth to look to him and be saved ; therefore did he expos- 
tulate with his people, why will ye die, O house of Israel I 
The sacrifices under the law, and the atonement made by 
Jesus Christ under the Gospel, were sufficient for all men, 
.even the greatest of sinners. I found my disposition chang- 
ed ; I found myself enlightened as to divine and spiritual; 
things ; I found my affections, my prospect^ my anticipo- 

H 



MEMOIRS. 11 

€ons and expectations were not on predestination and fore- 
ordination, but on the mercy of God, through the merits 
and atonement of Christ. In this way I became converted, 
and as a grateful return to the great Father of all mercies, 
I determined, and I thought it my duty to preach the gospel, 
the good news to all men — -free salvation to every son and 
daughter of the human race ; and the unspeakable danger 
to which they expose themselves, if they neglect so great 
salvation. I could not perceive the propriety of preaching 
free salvation to all men, if it were not possible for all men 
to be saved ; and if it were possible for men to be saved, 
then the doctrine which I had been taught must be false. 
That God had, from all eternity, foreordained who should 
be saved and who should be damned, I could not reconcile 
with the truth of his word, in swearing by himself that 
he desired not the death of a sinner; in inviting all the 
ends of the earth to look to him and be saved ; in saying 
that his mercy was over all his works ; in being the light 
that lighteth every man that cometh into the world ; in say- 
ing that this will be the condemnation, that light has come 
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light ; 
in saying that the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, 
hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungod- 
liness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, 
and godly in this present world. Now to say, that God 
never designed, nor intended, nor wished, nor put it in the 
power of all mankind to be saved, was, in my opinion, neither 
honorable to God, nor useful to mankind, nor did I believe 
it to be true. But if people will do despite to the spirit of 
grace, if they will resist the Holy Ghost, if they will per- 
jure themselves and pervert the cause of justice, mercy and 
goodness, if they do not use the means of grace, but live 
and die in the disposition and practice of what they know 
to be wrong, they will be damned, they must be miserable 
and wretched. Wherefore, saith the prophet, " let the 
wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man hist 
thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will 
have merey upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly 
pardon." 

The great design of all true religion, and of all good 
preaching, is to change the natural disposition of the hum^a 



t£ MEMOIRS. 

heart, which is deceitful above all things and desperately 
wicked, and to induce all mankind to live that sober, 
righteous and godly life, while in this world, which will 
terminate in everlasting happiness in the world to come. 

While I was a member of College, my religious convic- 
tions were strong, my impressions were deep, my conver- 
sion was hopeful and joyous ; but my views of the doc- 
trines of religion were varient from the Saybrook confes- 
sion of faith, and the Assembly's Catechism, though at that 
time an opportunity had not occurred for me to examine any 
other system. At length I obtained permission to attend, 
for half a day, divine worship in the Episcopal Church ; 
and although I was a stranger to their church government 
and worship, yet their doctrine was liberal, and conforma- 
ble to what I had previously thought. This induced an 
inquiry into the origin of the religion in which I had been 
educated, and I found that when our forefathers first came 
to this country, they came from England ; that when they 
eame from England they came from the Church of England, 
and were Dissenters from that Church. This induced an 
enquiry into the cause and ground of their separation — into 
what they gained, and into what they lost. This brought 
to view a subject with which I was wholly unacquainted, 
viz. the government of the christian church, the authority 
necessay in the regular and due administration of the sa- 
craments, the articles of the christian faith, and the worship 
of God as practised by churchmen and dissenters. About 
this time appeared the letters of the Rev. Dr. Bowden to 
president Stiles, on the subject of a lenial succession of 
Bishops, by a valid ordination, which were not answered. 
I also read Potter on Church Government, Cave's Lives of 
the Fathers, Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, and many other 
excellent writers on the part of the church. I also' read 
a history of the Puritans in England, the New England 
Memorial, Mather's Magnalia, and the Cambridge and Say- 
brook Platforms with such other books as I could find on 
the part of the dissenters. My earnest endeavor was to 
learn and know the truth, and that 1 might have a disposi- 
tion to act accordingly. At this time, I never had within 
cay knowledge, seen a Baptist, Methodist, or Quaker, but 
was fully satisfied that whoever departed from the govern- 



MEMOIRS. IB 

merit of any society, departed from that society; that 
whoever departed from the government of the christian 
church, did, by that very act, depart from the church, and 
was in danger of loosing the benefit of all that Christ had 
done, and suffered for him ; that as no one could lawfully 
act in the name of another without his authority, so no one 
could lawfully baptize or administer the sacrament or hold 
forth the terms of life and salvation to a guilty world, in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost 
without authority from God; that this authority could only 
be obtained in an immediate and extraordinary commission 
from Heaven, and then immediate and extraordinary works 
must be produced to prove it y for God never requires his 
creatures to believe that which he has not given them evi- 
dence to believe ; or it must be obtained by a succession, 
To pretend to work miracles, or to produce extraordinary 
works was ridiculous and vain ; to claim a succession, au- 
thentic documents must be produced to prove it ; and this 
could only be done in the Episcopal church, which included 
the Greek, Latin, English, and other churches, but not the 
dissenters from the church of England. Man}' very able 
and pious men and women were among them, but I could 
not be satisfied, that by their separation from the govern- 
ment, doctrine, and worship of the universal church, they 
had gained any thing which was honorable to God, or useful 
to mankind ; for in the Episcopal church they might be as 
able, as amiable, and as pious as they could be in their own 
way. But they had lost much. 

I could not but think they were mistaken in separating 
from the church of England, at first, but at the same time 
adopted this mode of reasoning, viz. after dilligent inquiry 
and fair examination, I sincerely think that I am right in 
my religion, as an Episcopalian, but I claim not infalibility — 
I may be mistaken ; If I am, I hope God will forgive me ; 
others may be as sincere in their religion, as I am in mine, 
If I say that God will not forgive them, how can I expect 
him to forgive me, if I should happen to be wrong. So 
that whoever shall pass sentence of condemnation upon his 
fellow christian, it is a sentence of condemnation passed 
by himself, upon himself, if he happens to be wrong. True 
It is, that two things, which are opposite in themselves, 
2 



14 MEMOIRS. 

cannot both be right at the same time, and every persoa 
who differs with me, must think that I am wrong, or that he 
himself is wrong ; and woe unto them who shall make no 
difference between right and wrong ! But let each one say 
fox himself in the language of the Poet, 

" L«^ not this weak,unknowing hand, 

Preeume thy bolts to throw, 
And deal damnation round the land, 

On each I deem thy foe. 

If I am right, oh ! teach my heart 

Still in the right to stay : 
If I am wrong, thy grace impart 

To find the better way." 

While a member of college, I left the congregational 
[Presbyterian religion, in which my parents and I had been 
brought up, and joined the Episcopal church ; and I did it 
^because I then thought, and now think it was my duty. I 
thought that the Episcopal church was of divine appoint- 
ment ; that in it the sacraments were administered by divine 
and undoubted authority ; that the doctrines taught in that 
church were in every point of view honorable to God, and 
useful to man, and supported by the authority of God's 
word ; that the worship of God in that church did not de- 
pend upon the discretion or indiscretion of any one man, 
and was not as various and as discordant as the tempers, 
dispositions, and abilities of all those who should lead in 
their devotions ; but was founded upon the temper and dis- 
position of the gospel, and supported by the authority of 
ihe holy scriptures. In this church, there is one Lord, one 
faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above 
all, and through all, and in all, working in due season, that 
we should bring forth the fruits of a virtuous and good life. 
Constantly to unite in the same forms of worship has a ten- 
dency to bring us all to the same disposition, and a same- 
ness of disposition creates friendship in all beings and in all 
worlds, (so far as my knowledge extends) and by this says 
our blessed Saviour, shall all men know that ye are my 
disciples, if ye love one another. 

A PRAYER. 

<c O, Almighty and Everlasting God, who alone canst gov- 



em the unruly wills and affections of sinful roen,make me & 
all others, I beseech thee, at all times and in all places, to 
love those things which thou dost command, and to desire 
those things which thou dost promise, that so, among the 
sundry manifold changes of the world,our hearts may sure 
!y there be fixed,where true joys are to be found, through 
Jesus Christ ourLord." — Our Father who art in heaven,&€* 

CHAPTER 11. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH CONTINUED. 

I was graduated at Yale Coliege,in New-Haven, Connect- 
icut, in the year 1790 ; and soon after, was placed under the 
direction of the Rev. Mr. Jarvis in Middle town, (afterwards 
bishop Jarvis), in the study of divinity and ecclesiastical 
history, and boarded in his family. My situation soon be- 
came unpleasant in consequence of his churlish behaviour 
in his family and neglect to give me suitable instruction. I 
left his house in disgust, 'and was placed under the direction, 
in my studies, of the Rev. Edward Blakeslee, of North 
Haven,and the Rev. Doct. Mansfield, of Derby. At this Mr. 
Jarvis appeared to be mortified and displeased ; his endeav- 
ors to excite a disgust against me, in the minds of some of 
the clergy and laity of the Episcopal Church, were soofe 
communicated to me, and I soon became sensible of the 
effects of them. Application was made to me, to perform 
divine service, and to preach, under the direction of the Rev. 
Doctor Mansfield, in the churches in Waterbury, Woodbury 
and in Salem, which I did to the unanimous approbation of 
the parishes. But Mr. Jarvis, by the consent of bishop 
Seabury, soon sent Mr. Hart, then a candidate for the minis- 
try, to take charge of these parishes. This excited unea- 
siness, and a division among them. I declined performing 
service there, the church in Salem refused to employ Mr. 
Hart, and unfriendly feelings were excited. In the yearl791 
I attended the Convention or Convocation of the church, in 
Watertown with a view of being examined and admitted as a 
eandidate,but perceiving the hostile disposition of Mr. Jarvis, 



16 MEMOIKS- 

and the influence he had gained with some of the clergy, I 
withdrew without offering myself, or making my intentions 
known. And wishing to avoid any thing unpleasant, I re- 
ceived letters of recommendation from the Rev. Doctor 
Mansfield, the Rev. Mr. Blakeslee, and others ; also from 
the church in Branford, Northford, and others, and went 
into the state of New-York, and commenced a Reader in the 
churches in Schenectady and Ballston under the direc- 
tion of the Rev. Mr. Ellison, of Albany. In this situation. 
having given notice to the bishop of New- York, I remained 
until the next year, when I was recommended to the said 
bishop of New- York, and standing committee of the church 
in that state, for deacon's orders, by the Rev. Dr. Mansfield, 
and the Rev. Mr. Blakeslee, in whose families I had re- 
sided, and studied divinity and ecclesiastical history ; by 
the church inPBranferd, where I had been born and brought 
tip, and wherfe I had been known from my infancy, and 
where public notice, had been given to the congrega- 
tion, assembled in the church, for public worship on Sun- 
day, the 15th day of April, 1792, that in the month of June, 
in that year, I should apply to the bishop and standing 
committee of the church, in the state of New- York, to be 
ordained a deacon ; and they were then solemnly called 
irpon in the name of God, if they knew any thing scanda- 
lous in my conduct or character, or any just cause or reason 
why I should not be ordained, to let it be known within one 
month, that it might be communicated to the proper author- 
ity. I was also recommended as aforesaid, by the church 
\orthford ; by the church in Guilford, by the church in 
Ballston, and by the church in the city of Schenectady, 
where I then resided, and by the Rev. Mr. Ellison of Alba- 
ny, under whose care and direction 1 had been employed as 
& Vender for about one year; with these recommendations, 
find my diploma from college, I offered myself to the afore- 
said bishop and standing committee, to be examined and 

ned a deacon ; and on the 18th and 19th days of June, 
1792, I was examined by the Right Rev. Bishop Provoost. 

the said standing committee, at the house of the Rev. 

( afterwards bishop) Moore, in the city of New-York, 

, on my internal call, and views in regard to the min- 
. • on that change of the natural disposition,, which u 



MEMOIRS. I? 

necessary t4 fit us for God's heavenly kingdom ; in myknowV 
edge and belief in the holy scriptues,and my earnest in'en&oa 
by God's grace to conform my heart and practice to thenar; 
in my knowledge of the Engish, Latin, Greek and Hebrew 
languages ; in my knowledge of a general system and body of 
divinity, and ecclesiastical history; in my knowledge of 
the lives and travels of the apostles and primitive fathers 
of the church ; in my knowledge of the general and liber- 
al arts and sciences, &c. ; and after two days strict trial and 
full examination and with the aforesaid recommendations, I 
was .honorably approved, accepted, and recommended to 
the said bishop as the cannons directed, to be ordained* 
The day after this recommendation, the Rev. Mr. Jams, 
of Middletown, in Connecticut, came to New- York and 
informed the Rev. Dr. Beach, one of the said standing 
committee, that I was a very unworthy young man, and had 
actually been refused holy orders in Connecticut. I as- 
sured Dr. Beach, that Mr. Jarvis was my enemy, because 
I had left his house, and refused to live and study with hiir^ 
and that what he had said was not true. I request- 
ed him to suspend his judgment, and not to mention what 
Mr. Jarvis had said, until I could go to Connecticut and 
obtain further recommendations, and a certificate from the 
secretary, that I had not been refused orders in that state. 
This he consented to do, and I accordingly went to the 
Rev. Dr. Dibble, of Stamford, stated my caie to him, re- 
quested him to examine, me and my documents, and if he 
should find me worthy and well qualified, to reccommend 
me to the bisohp and standing committee of New- York, to 
be ordained. This he very freely did, and at the same 
time expressed his astonishment at the conduct of Mr. Jaiv 
vis. I then went to the Rev. Mr. Oglesvie, of Norwalk, 
made the same statement and request, and obtained the 
same recommendation. I then went to the Rev. Mr. Snel- 
len, of Newfield, to the Rev. Mr. Clark, of Huntington^ 
and to the Rev. Mr. Marsh, of New-Milford, made to them 
individually the same communication and request, and 
after due examination, received the same recommendation 
from them. I then went to the house of the Rev. Mr. 
Perry, of Newtown, who was secretary of the Conven 
lion of Connecticut, to obtain a certificate, that I had not 

2* 



1$ MEMOIRS'. 

been refused holy orders in thol state, in order to eonfn^ 
diet the falsehood of Mr. Jarvis. \¥hen I arrived there f 
Mr. Perry was from home on a journey ; I statsd my busi- 
ness to Mrs. Perry, and wished to examine the records, 
which I did in her presence, and in the presence of a Mr. 
Isaac Davis who was there, he was a young gentleman with 
whom I was acquainted ,when I was a member of college : 
not finding my name on the record.as I was sure it was not, 
Mi. Perry being from home, the day of my ordination 
having been appointed, and nothing but the evidence of a 
plain matter of fact wanted ; Mr, Davis consented to give a 
.cerdiieate in the name of Mr. Perry, that no act of the 
bishop and clergy of Connecticut, had been passed, refus- 
ing me orders in that state ; this he did — and with this 
certificate, and with these recommendations, I returned to 
New- York, satisfied Dr. Beach, (who was only one of a. 
committee of eight, and only a majority was necessary,) 
and I was ordained a deacon, in Trinity Church, in the 
city of New-York, by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, 
D. D. bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in that 
state, on the twenty fourth day of June, A. D. 1792. 

On the day after' my ordination, I called on the said Dr. 
Beach for my papers and documents, as they could be of 
no use to him. Those which were directed to the standing 
committee he claimed as vouchers for his conduct in re- 
commending me, and refused to return them ; but the cer- 
tificate, written by Mr. Davis, was not directed to any body 
and was returned to me. On my way home, which was 
in Schenectady, I went to the house of Mr. Perry in 
Newtown, gave him the certificate which Mr. Davis had 
given me in his absence, told him how I came by it, and 
what it was given for. His reply was, " I am sorry that 
I wa3 not at home when you was here before, for I should 
have been glad to have afforded you every ass-stance in 
my power, and am glad that Mr. Davis gave you this cer- 
tificate." lie then tore it in two, and gave me one half of 
it, as we were standing near each other. He then said, 
i: to prevent any difficulty that may arise, I had better give 
you one myself, and then sat down and wroti the follow- 
ing, with his own hand, and which is now in my posses** 
sion, viz. 



MEMOIRS. 10 

44 This may certify, that no act has ever been 
passed by the Convocation ol the clergy of 
Connecticut, prohibiting the Rev. Mr. Amoii 
Kogers receiving holy orders in this church* 
Certified by 

PHILO PERRY, Secretary of Convocation. 
July 5th, 1792." 
Soon after my return to Schenectady, I received the fol- 
lowing letter, addressed to 

The Rev. Ammi Rogers, Schenectady. 

New-York, August 7th, 1792. 

REVEREND SIR, 

Suffer me to congratulate you on your ordination, and to 
wish you all possible success and happiness. From my 
acquaintance with you, I feel strongly impressed with an 
idea of your eminence. I have seen the Rev. Mr. Perry, 
of Newtown, and informed him that I had given you a cer- 
tificate, and put his name to it ; he said I had done right 
and that he had seen you since, and had given you one to 
the same purport in his own hand writing, and that the one 
which I wrota was destroyed. I have some expectation of 
being in your part of the country this fail ; If such a thing 
should happen, I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you. 
Your sincere friend and well wisher, 

ISAAC DAVIS. 

My ministry was blessed beyond what I had reason to 
expect, though not to exceed my endeavors ; a sense of the 
divine Majesty, and all his adorable attributes, were deep- 
ly fixed in my mind, with an affecting impression of the 
awful responsibility of my office ; my endeavors were to 
make my hearers sensible of their lost and undone situa- 
tion, by the natural depravity of their minds, and the abso- 
lute necessity of the use of all the means of grace, that 
they might be converted and enjoy the comfortable and 
blessed hope of glory, which would be that peace of God,, 
which passeth all understanding, that peace which this 
world could not give. My preaching and my endeavors, 
were to represent the God of heaven, whom we adore, in 
the most amiable and pleasing point of view possible, and 



$0 MEMOIRS. 

ft. persuade myself and my people to love him, and to imitate 
him. As my preaching respected my fellow men, it was 
first to inform and enlighten their understanding in the 
most religious and moral doctrines and duties of Christiani- 
ty, and then to move their affections, to believe and act 
accordingly. 

From the 24th of June, 1792, to October, 1793, I ad- 
ministered 130 baptisms; I married 20 persons; and de- 
posited rive dead bodies of my fellow christians in the grave, 
" looking for the general resurrection in the last day, and 
the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ." Within the time last mentioned, the building of 
St. George's church in Schenectady, which during, and 
since the revolutionary war, had lain most of the time des- 
titute, neglected, and greatly injured, was repaired and 
made comfortable. It was an elegant stone building, with 
a handsome steeple and a good organ, and had been well 
finished. It would be ungrateful and unjust not to mention 
the name of Mr. William Corlett, a man from the Isle of 
Man: whose pious attentions and generous contributions to 
St. George's church, in the city of Schenectady, ought 
never to be forgotten ; for to his example and exertions that 
parish are much indebted. During this time also: the 
church in Balhton, from only about fourteen families, had 
become numerous and respectable, and their house of wor- 
ship was raised and enclosed ; the greatest friendship and 
harmony subsisted between me and all my people, and 
among themselves. 

In October, 1793, 1 attended the convention of the EpiV 
copal Church in the state of New-York, assembled in the 
city of New-York, of which I was member, and then made 
the foregoing returns to the bishop,received his approbation 
and thanks, with an invitation to preach in Trinity church, 
and St. Paul's Church in the city of New-York, 
which I did. I was now in love, friendship, and 
fellowship with the bishop and all the clergy, with my 
own parishes, and with the whole church, except Mr. Jar- 
vis, and some of his particular friends. With his conduct 
I felt myseli abused, though what he intended for my inju- 
ry, had eventuated in my good and prosperity ; for my sit- 
uation in the state of New- York was much better than I 



MEMOIRS. 21 

could have expected in Connecticut. I was favoured with 
thousands of blessings, and my great and earnest care was- to 
make a grateful and practical return, by a conscientious dis- 
charge of my ordination vows, and a holy, humble, and exem- 
plary walk before God and his people, of every denomination. 
Oh how often have I alone, with closed doors, on my knees, 
before God, read the ordination service of the Episcopal 
church with prayers, and tears, and fasting, that God of his 
great mercy, would please to direct and assist me in all my 
doings, with his most gracious favour and further me with 
his continual help, that in all my works, begun, continued, 
and ended in him, I might glorify his holy name, and finally, 
that I, and all committed to my care, and the whole world 
of mankind, might obtain everlasting life and happiness, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

CHAPTER III: 

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH CONTINUED, 

The year 1794 was to me vastly important. In that year 
I was married to the very amiable Miss Margaret Bloore T 
about 18 years old, of an excellent disposition, and well 
educated. She was the only daughter of Mr. Joshua 
Bloore, a gentleman from Manchester, in England ; who- 
came into this country and settled as a merchant in Albany, 
and afterwards moved into the county of Saratoga, where 
I became acquainted with him and his family. His wife, 
before he married her, was a Margaret Brintnal, of Langly 
parish, in Derbyshire, in England. In that year, I was 
recommended to the bishop and standing committee of the 
Episcopal church, in the state of New- York ; was again 
examined by them as before, was recommended by the said 
standing committee, to be ordained by the said bishop. 
And in Trinity church, in the city of New- York, on the 
1 9th day of October, A. D. 1794, 1 was ordained a priest, 
by the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D. bishop of the 
Protestant Episcopal church in the state of New- York. 
Before this, it was known that Dr. Beach and Mr, Jarvis, 
bad become reconciled in regard to the falsehood communis 



8£ MEMOIRS. 

cated relative to me ; and he was left out of the said stanch 
ing committee, though he attended, and assisted at my ordi- 
nation as a priest, and received the sacrament of the 
Lord's supper with me at that time. But the same night, 
after the ordination, he complained to the bishop that Iliad 
brought to him a forged certificate, before I was ordained a 
deacon. The next day the bishop called us both before 
him, and caused an inquiry. I stated to him the case as it 
was, relative to the certificate which Mr. Davis had given 
to me, in the absence of Mr. Perry ; that on my way home 
I called on Mr. Perry, informed him what was done, and 
gave him the certificate ; that he approved of it, and gave 
another to the same purport, in his own hand writing, 
which I then laid before the bishop, with the letter of Mr. 
Davis, dated August 7th 1792. Dr. Beach acknowledged, 
before the bishop, that the facts were true, as I stated them, 
and said he thought there ought to be an investigation. The 
bishop replied that he did not know how that could be 
brought against me as a priest, which took place before I 
was a deacon ; that Dr. Beach was present, and assisted 
at my ordination as a priest, and if he had any objection, 
then, or before, was the time to make it ; that I had under- 
gone a better examination, and was amply recommended, 
by more clergymen, and more churches than any one he 
had ever ordained, and the result of my ministry proved 
that he had not been imposed upon ; that in all forgeries, 
there must be some falsehood, but in this case there is 
no pretence of falsehood, and it would be very unlike- 
ly that so many respectable clergymen and parishes would 
recommend me to be ordained in New- York, if I had been 
refused orders in Connecticut or if I was unworthy of the 
ministy ; that the certificate itself was a mere evidence 
of fact, such as any one might have given, who had ex- 
amined the records ; that it was obtained, and used not to 
prevent truth and justice, but to suppress an acknoiuledged 
falsehood ; and he therefore decided that Dr. Beach had no- 
cause of complaint,and dismissed the enquiry, desiring us to 
be reconciled. Dr. Beach then,in the presence of the bish- 
op, requested me to overlook all that had passed between us: 
oifered me his hand in friendship, and asked me to preach 
for him the next Sunday, in St. George^s church, in the 
eity of New-York ; the whole of which I complied with, 



MEMOIRS. 23 

tm& the matter was settled. Still there was not that cor- 
diality between him and me, that there was between me 
and the other clergy. 

From October, 1793^ to October, 1794, I administered 
184 baptisms : married 18 persons, and buried 11, and had 
preached 176 sermons ; my ministerial labours had become 
very extensive, and I had reason to believe, very accepta- 
ble. When in the city of New- York, I preached in Trin- 
ity church, in St. Paul's church, and in St. George's chap- 
el, in Beekman street. Reflecting on the occurrences of 
this year, I feel to express myself in the words of the 14th 
hymn, in the book of Common Prayer, viz. 

"When all thy mercies, my God, 
My rising soul surveys, 
Transported with the view I'm lost 
In wonder, love and praise," &c. 

My general practice was to encourage family devotion 
every day, setting the example myself; to compose and 
write my own sermons, and the subject was taken from that 
part of the holy scriptures, which, by the established 
order of the Episcopal church, every minister was obliged 
to read to his people on that day. 

From Oct. 1794 to Oct. 1795, I administered 123 bap- 
tisms ; admitted upon their credible profession of 
faith, repentance, and an earnest intention, by God's 
grace, to lead a new and better life, 90 persons to the holy 
communion ; I joined 20 persons in marriage, deposited 8 
dead bodies of my fellow christians in the grave, and de- 
livered about 160 sermons ; was much given to reading, to 
study, to self-examination and to prayer. I attended the 
convention, was in great love and friendship with the Bish- 
op, with my bretheren the clergy and with the laity. I 
preached in most of the Episcopal churches in the city of 
New- York, and returned to my parishes with a renewed 
determination that I would, by God's help, fulfil my ordina- 
tion engagements. 

At this time my ministerial labours extended to almost 
every part of the county of Saratoga, and to some of the 
neighbouring counties. 

From October 1795 to October 1796, I administered 246 



24 MEMOIRS. 

baptisms. The number of communicants had increased to 
120. I married 32 persons, and buried 8. 

From Oct. 1796, to Oct. 1797 1 administered 186 baptisms; 
my communicants had increased to 158. I married 14 per- 
sons and buried 4. 

In the year 1797, there was a very unhappy occurrence^ 
Delegates from the state of New- York to the general con- 
vention of the Episcopal church in the United States, to be 
holden in the city of Philadelphia, were to be appointed, 
for the purpose, among other things, of revising the 39 ar- 
ticles of religion of the church of England, and of adopting 
them in this country, or of rejecting them. It so happened 
that in this election the clergy were almost unanimous in 
my favor and the laity were about equally divided in their 
choice between the Rev. Dr. Beach, my former opposer, 
and me. In this way they ballotted eleven times, each par- 
ty adhering to his vote and no choice was made, when the 
said Dr. Beach arose and said, if my brethren the clergy 
suppose that that young mananeaning me, is better qualified 
to fill that most important station in the church — one of the 
most important stations in the church that ever was or per- 
haps ever will be, when the articles of religion in the whole 
church of the United States are to be arranged and settled, 
I now declare that I will not accept the appointment, nor 
will I ever set in this convention with him again. He then 
took his hat, went off, apparently in anger, and I was al- 
most unanimously elected ; went to Philadelphia on that 
business, and was a member of the said general convention 
in 1797, '98 and 99. I was at the same time a member of 
the convention of the Episcopal church in the state of 
New- York, as I had been for five years before : and it is 
believed that few clergymen of my age had received more 
honor, more approbation, and more preferments among 
his brethren, in the convention and in the church than I 
had ; though with chose who had, in my opinion, unrea- 
sonably dissented from the church of England and the es- 
tablished order of the christian church, there was continu- 
al warfare. Soon after my return from the convention in 
1797 I received the following letter from the Rev. Dr, 
. Moore, afterwards bishop Moore, viz. 



%-EMOIRS. •■ 

To the Rev, Ammi Rogers, in Ballston, 

New- York, Dec, llih, 1797. 

I>£AR SlR — 

I have been expecting for some days past a letter either 
from you or from Mr. Ellison, respecting the business of 
the Lutheran church, for the management of which, you 
know we are the committee appointed by the convention. 
I wish you would attend to it, and let me know the result 
of your deliberations. 

Doctor Beach is very much displeased at your appointment r 
m a delegate to the general convention. He conceives him- 
self insulted by putting you in the place which he suppose? 
ought to have been filled by himself^ and seems to think it ne- 
cessary to show by depreciating your character, that the con- 
vention made an improper choice, I called on him the day 
before yesterday to converse with him on the subject ; he 
charges you with having brought forged recommendations, 
when you applied for holy orders. I told him I should 
certainly state the matter to you ; and I wish you would 
give me some explanation of this business, so that if it be 
practicable, I may check the evil reports which some peo- 
ple are circulating among our brethren the clergy, and I 
have reason to think among the laity also. You know the 
high sense I entertain of your industry and utility in the 
church ; and to rub off ?ny stain which calumny may at- 
tempt to throw upon innocence, will be a great satisfaction 
1o you friend and brother. 

BENJAMIN MOORE. 

To the foregoing letter, I sent the following answer : 
To the Rev, Dr., Benjamin Moore, New- York, 

Balhton, December 20th, 1797. 
Rev. and Dsar Sir— 

I received your favor of the 11th inst. this morning, and 
now thank you for taking my part in my absence. When 
Dr. Beach says that I brought forged recommendations, 
when I applied for holy orders, it is a .notorious false- 
hood, and he knows it. The matter to which he alludes 
was fully inquired into by Bishop Provoost, some years 
ago, viz. on the day after I was ordained a priest ; and 
was by bim dismissed as unworthy of notice, and to him 

3 



Sfl 



MEMOIRS 



I refer you for information on the subject. [Seepage* 11 f 
18,19, 4f 22,] I wish you & Mr. Bissitt would call on Bish- 
op Provoost on the subject,and then inform Dr. Beach and 
his friends what the Bishop says about it ; this will make 
him look meaner than he now does, if possible. 

As to the business of the Lutheran church, Mr. Ellison 
and I have had a consultation on the subject, and are cal- 
culating to see the Rev. Mr. Quitman, when we will let 
you know more about it ; I think the prospect is favorable. 
I have a call to attend a funeral in Galway, and must bid 
you farewell, and I am, dear sir, with every sentiment of 
esteem and affection, your much obliged friend and hrother 

AMMI ROGERS. 

Bishop Provoost entirely satisfied the Rev. Dr. Moore v 
and the Rev. Mr. Bissitt, on the subject of Mr. Perry's 
fiertiticate, which Dr. Beach had most falsely and most un- 
justly called forged recommendations, whenl applied 
tor holy orders, and I heard no more of it until 1803 ; six 
years after. 

From October 1797, to October 1798, I administered 
254 baptisms ; my communicants were 103 ; I joined 36 
persons in marriage, and attended 19 funerals; and preach-^ 
ed about 180 sermons. There was but one country clergy- 
man in the state of New- York, at that time, whose returns 
to the Bishop, or whose ministerial labors were as extensive 
as mine. 

From October 1798, to October 1799, when as usual 
I attended the convention, I administered 168 baptisms; 
had 210 communicants, married 16 persons, attended 13 
burials, preached about 170 sermons. 

At this time, an Anabaptist teacher had commenced an 
attack upon me, and upon the church, by publishing in the 
newspaper printed in Ballston, an anonymous piece against 
the observance of Christmas, and the other festivals of the 
church, This piece was answered by me, and that again 
<vas answered by him ; and thus the dispute w a6 pursued 
foi many months, with great warmth on both sides ; 
until at length a public discussion was personally had in 
toe Court-house in BallstojQ, in presence of many hundreds 
of people. The result was as might have been expected, 
no conviction of error on either side ; but worsted in argu- 
picat, my aotogomst and hk party had recourse to personal 



MEMOIRS. 



a? 



Invective ; this was replied to by the wardens and vestry 
of the church in Ballston and by more fian forty of my 
nearest neighbours, of every denomination ; in which my 
induct and character both as minister and a man were fai- 
ry vindicated 

From October 1799, to October 1800, I administered 
137 baptisms; my communicants had increased to 228, I 
soarried 28 persons, and buried 5, and preached about 160 
-sermons, exclusive of many lectures and public exhorta- 
tions. 

This year was to me the beginning of sorrow. I had 
devoted' myself entirely to the work of the ministry. In 
the county of Saratoga, my people had increased from 
sibout 14 families, to about 4000 souls; they had built a 
new church in Ballston, and finished it with an elegant 
steeple, bell and organ. They had become incorporate, 
and built a new church with a handsome steeple, in the 
town of Milton, and also in the town of Stillwater.— 
In Waterford they had become a body corporate, and a 
large number had joined that society ; a very respectable 
society was also collected in Charlton and in Gahvay, and 
in other parts of that county. I had, some time before, re- 
signed my parish in Schenectady to the Rev. Robt. G. Wet- 
more, who was a very worthy man, and a most excellent cler- 
gyman, and my labours were extended to Fort Hunter and 
to Johnstown. I had visited and preached and adminis- 
tered sacraments in Boon's settlement, in Utica, in Paris, 
end in various parts of the county of Otsego ; and in ma- 
ny other parts of the country, did I, as opportunity offer- 
ed, extend the knowledge of what I conceived to be true 
religion ; prosperity in the ministry, aid a fair reputation, 
seemed to attend me wherever I went. It was customa- 
ry for the wardens and vestrymen of the several parishes 
in my care, to meet once a year, to become acquainted 
with each other, and to consult means for their mutual 
good and prosperity. 

u At a meeting of the wardens and vestrymen of the sev- 
i-ral Episcopal churches in the county of Saratoga,) viz. in 
Ballston, Milton, Stillwater, Waterford, Charlton, Galway y 
Greenfield, and Providence, in the State of New- York, duh 
warned and convened in Ballston, February 1st, 1800.— 



%8 MEMOtm, 

" Voted unanimously j That the thanks of the seygfa* 
churches in the county of Saratoga, be presented to the 
Rev. Anmii Rogers, for his unwearied labours and faithful 
services, in the promotion of religion ; that owing to hb 
abilities and discretion, the Episcopal church has become 
prosperous and respectable ; that his exemplary piety and 
spotless morals, uniformly demonstrated in his life and 
conversation, merit our warmest acknowledgments ; and 
that no exertions on our part shall be wanting, to render 
his situation comfortable and easy, and his life happy, 

"'The Rev. Mr, Rogers then thanked them for their po- 
liteness and attention to him since his first acquaintance 
with them. He said, if there was any thing which could 
give him pleasure, it certainly would be the consciousness 
of having done his duty, and the love and approbation of 
his parishioners ; that he then acknowledged with grati- 
tude, that in his opinion, few clergymen could boast of more 
instances of attention and respect from his parishioners 
than he could ; that he could not withhold their grateful ac- 
knowledgements to Almighty God for crowning his en- 
deavors in the cause of religion, with a success far beyond 
his most sanguine expectations ; that he felt himself hap- 
pily situated, in regc d to his parishioners, and if his past 
services and deportment had already met their approba- 
tion, and extracted from them a determination to ailbrd him 
a support, and to make his life easy and happy ; he hoped 
that in future he should no less deserve it. 

Attest, Warren Smith, Secretary." 

In the Summer and fall of 1800, a sickness prevailed 
in the county of Saratoga with which many died. My 
wife was taken with it, and on the eleventh day departed 
this life, in the 26th year of her age. When she was ta- 
ken with the disease she was in full health and strength,, 
with a child only a few months old ; medical aid was soon 
called for, and the most skillful physicians attended ; but 
alas ! to no other purpose than a momentary relief. The 
day but one before she died, she wrote the following lines,, 
in my absence, and they are the last words that she ever 
did write. Given over by the physicians, and knwnwj the.t 
*he must soon die, she begins with these tilOfcfe, 



- 



MEMOIRS. 

se Oh thou, unknown, Almighty eaase, 
** Of ail ray hope and fear, 
"In whose dread presence, ere an hour, 
41 Perhaps I must appear. 
" If I have wander'd in those 
"Paths of life I ought to shun, 
41 As something, loudly, in my breast 
*• Remonstrates I have done, 
"Thou know'st that thou has formed mo 
* "With passions wild and strong, 
" And hst'ning to their witching voice, 
" Has often led me wrong. 
H Where human weakness has come short, 
*-Or frailty step'd aside ; 
" Do thou", all good, for such thou art ; 
" In shades of darkness hide. 
" Where with intention I have err'd, 
" No other plea I have, 
"But thou art good, and goodness still 
" Delighteth to forgive." 



£9 



Not more than two hours before she departed thi& life 
by her request, I administered to her, and to our neighbours 
who were present, the sacrament of the Lord's supper ; 
the service she performed with astonishing strength of mind 
and clearness of voice, and particularly she repeated this 
part with uncommon interest and energy, saying, with a 
loud full voice,— 

" Therefore with angels, and archangels, and with all 
the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious 
name ; evermore praising thee and saying, Holy, holy, ho- 
ly, Lord God of hosts ; heaven and earth are full of thy 
glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen." 

Only a few minutes before she expired, I asked her if 
she felt willing to die. Her reply was, " you and I have 
always lived happy together, and for your sake, and for 
the sake of my children, I wish to live ; but for me, it is 
without doubt, to take me from some gre^t unforseen evil, 
which would be to me worse than death, if I were to live ; 
it seems to be the will of God that I should die, and I feel 
willing to obey it." The reader will excuse me in dwel- 
ling upon the last words and last moments of a much be- 
loved and much respected wife ; none can tell the anguish 
which I feel on this subject, except those who have expe- 
rienced similar afflictions. 

3* 



% 

^ tfEHTOIRS. 

H To thee, my G<xi and Saviour, I, 
By day and night address my cry, 
Vouchsafe my mournftil voice to hear. 
To my distress inc!ine>hine ear/' &c. 

88** Psalm in the Prayer Book, 

I was left with three s|nall children, one an infant at 
the breast, and every thing appeared melancholy and 
gloomy ; even in my public and private devotions I was 
cast down ; my studies were dull and lifeless, and it seem- 
ed as if the face of all goodness was hid from me. In the 
month of October, I went on a visit to my parents and 
friends, in Branford. I generally made it my busines s^ a£- 
ter I had attended the Convention in the city of ^figSJ 
York .every year to go- to Branford and visit my friends^8§II 
ro preach there one or two Sundays. A wish had often 
been expressed to me that I would return and settle there, 
but until now I never gave any encouragement. Over- 
tures were soon made, and I delayed giving an answer 
until I had laid the case before the church in Ballston, and 
also* before the Bishop and clergy of New-York and of 
Connecticut. At this time I performed divine service, 
attid preached for a few Sundays in the church in the city of 
Hartford ;. and was applied to for terms of settlement there, 
but refused to give any encouragement on account of the 
previous application made to me from Branford, and also- 
Because my people in the county of Saratoga were not in- 
formed of my inclination to leave them. I immediately 
wrote to Bishop Provoost, to the Rev. Dr. Moore, who was 
soon after Bishop Moore, and to some of the other clergy,. 
stating to them my intention to leave that state. From the 
said Rev. Dr. Moore, I received the following letter, viz: 
To the Rev. Ammi Rogers, Ballston. 

New-York, October 23d > 1800. 
Mz Dear Sir, 

The ddy before y I rec eived your letter by Mr.. 

Morgan, and must confess, that I am not a little surprised 
to nnd, upon perusing the contents, that you are delibera- 
ting about leaving Ballston. I have hitherto been of opin- 
ion that your labors have been so eminently successful in, 
that quarter of the country, your ministrations so accepta- 
ble to the people, and your situation becoming so easy and 



MEMOIRS. SI 

comfortable, with respect to temporal emoluments ; from 
all these considerations, I imagined that nothing could in- 
duce you to quit the county of Saratoga. You ask my ad- 
vice on the occasion ; it is impossible for me or any other 
brother clergyman, to give directions or to offer persuasions 
on so delicate a subject. You will, no doubt, deem your- 
self obliged to exert all your abilities in advancing the king- 
dom of the Redeemer upon earth ; you will earnestly seek 
the guidance of Him who is infinitely wise, and you will 
follow the dictates of conscience. Wherever you may 
think proper to fix yourself, be assured you have my sin- 
cere wishes and ardent prayers, for your temporal and eter 
nal welfarj. Your affectionate brother, 

BENJAMIN MOORE. 

In another letter from the same Bishop Moore, dated 
New- York, December 2d 1800, he says to me,— 

Dear Sir, 

I must confess, it is not with a little uneasiness and dis- 
appointment, that I hear of your intention to leave this 
state and settle in Connecticut. I have always consider- 
ed you as one of our most u eful and active clergymen;, 
and although I know you will be equally zeelous and in- 
dustrious wherever you may fix yourself, still it would be 
a satisfaction to retain a more immediate connection with 
you as members of the same Convention. * * # Great 
changes in our ecclesiastical affairs will ere long take place ;« 
whatever my situation may be, you will be remembered 
with sentiments of esteem and affection by your friend, 

BENJAMIN MOORE, 

At about the same time the Rev. Mr. Bissett and other 
clergymen of the State of New- York, wrote to me the 
most flattering letters, and offered the most persuasive in- 
ducements for me not to leave that State; and would to 
God I had listened to their advice ; but shew me a man or 
woman who never errs, ami I will shew you one w r ho nev- 
er dies ! 

I had preached with approbation in aU the Episcopal 
churches in the city of New-York, occasionally for ten* 
years ; had been constantly a member of the convention of 
the church ; for three years, was a member of the general 



3*2 MEMOIRS, 

_. convention of the Episcopal church in the United States ^ 
was frequently on some of the most important committees of 
the church. I had been duly appointed and constituted one 
of the first members of the corporation of Union College, in 
the city of Schenectady, constantly attended their meetings, 
and exerted myself for the prosperity of that institution. 1 
had been initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry, in that 
state, and had passed through the several degrees of En- 
tered Apprentice, Fellow Craft r Master, Mark Master, 
Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch. I 
obtained the Mediterranean Pass, was dubbed a Knight of 
the Red Cross, became a Knight of Malta, and was admit- 
ted into the Encampment of Sir Knight Templars. When 
the Grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons was first organ- 
ized, I, though at that time absent, was elected and ap- 
pointed the first Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter of. 
Royal Arch Masons in the state of New- York. I had 
preached with approbation in all the principal cities and 
towns in the northern and eastern states, viz. Philadel- 
phia, Newark, N. J. New- York, Albany and Schenecta- 
dy ; in Hartford, Boston and Providence, and in many oth- 
er towns and places ; but the time was come when I was 
determined to leave the county of Saratoga. I went there 
in the year 17$1, it was now 1801 ; my parishes had be- 
come very extensive, and my labours, arduous and fatigu- 
ing; and after the death of my wife, my house was lone- 
some, gloomy, and desolate. My children were removed 
where they could be taken care of, and I was afflicted. — 
The Episcopal Church in Branford was vacant, the parish 
was perfectly unanimous and ardent in their wishes for 
me to return, and become their minister; my parents were 
then living there, my brothers and sister, and numerous 
family connections were residing in that town ; and the 
Episcopal church was not so generally known and under- 
stood as I wished. At length I informed them that I was 
determined to leave the county of Saratoga. A meeting 
was called in Branford, East-Haven, and Northfield, and J 
was unanimously chosen Rector of their churches, which 
was communicated to the Rev. Mr. Jarvis, my former an- 
tagonist ', who had now become Bishop of the Episcopal 
church in Connecticut. Their choice was approved of by 



MCMOlftd* 33 

him according to the canons, and sent to me in Ballstou 
which I laid before the church in that place, and requested 
a dismission from them. Silence, as if it had been the si^ 
lence of death, prevailed, and not an eye which did not 
shed a tear. I was the first minister they ever had, most 
of them and their children had been baptised by me ; they 
had been faithfully instructed in the faith and practice of 
the gospel, and in the concerns of their souls, and of eter- 
nity. They had by me been presented to the Bishop, and 
received the apostolic rite of confirmation. They had by 
me been admitted to the holy communion of the Lord's sup- 
per ; I had visited them in sickness, instructed them when 
they were ignorant, comforted them in affliction, committed 
the dead bodies of their friends and relatives, their parents 
and children, their husbands or wives, their brothers or sis- 
ters to the awful and silent grave, looking for the general 
resurrection and the life of the world to come through our 
Lord Jesus Christ. I had always been as ready to mourn 
with those who mourned as-I was to rejoice -with those who 
did rejoice ; for ten years the sun had never risen upon a 
happier or more united minister and people ; what I said 
was not only the voice of a minister, who had a tender re- 
gard for their souls, but of a friend who loved them sincere- 
ly. My congregations were very large, and when I went 
into the pulpit, I had the satisfaction to think that there was- 
not a person present, who would not willingly share their 
last loaf with me. After a long time of silence, old Mr. 
Bettys, the senior warden, with a heart ready to break, his 
eyes gushing out with tears, and with a faultering voice, 
rose- and said, Mr. Rogers, why do you wish to leave us ? 
There is not a person in any of your parishes who would 
not gladly carry you in his arms, if it were necessary ; we 
all respect you, and have always been glad to do every 
thing in our power for your comfort. The death of your 
excellent wife, we all mourn, but it could not be preven- 
ted. Is it any thing which we have done, or which we 
have left undone, that induces you to wish to leave us ? 
I replied, that it was not ; but that I w^as in affliction, and 
wished to return to my parents and to the place of my na- 
tivity ; that I thought the religious situation of Connecti- 
cut w r as such, as offered an opportunity of doing much 



84 MEMOIRS, 

good, and that I would endeavour BOt to leave them desii* 
tute of a minister, but would obtain some worthy person to 
take my place with them ; that I had lived to see every 
Presbyterian minister dismissed from that county, while I 
had been there, viz. Mr. Shenk, from Ballston, Mr. Riply, 
from Ballston, eastline, Mr. Sill, from Milton, Mr. Sturges, 
from Charlton, Mr. Linsly, from Galway, Mr. Close, from 
Waterford, Mr. Campbell, from Stillwater, Mr. Condict, 
from Stillwater hill, Mr. Smith, from Saratoga, &c. That 
the Episcopal church in that county had increased far be- 
yond an} example in that state ; that they had within & 
few years, built four new and elegant hous 3 for public 
worship ; that in some places the meeting-houses were us- 
ed for places of public worship for Episcopalians; that 
from 14 families they had increased to about 4000 souls, 
and were now in a situation to settle ministers among them, 
and I thought I could do more good, and it would be more 
for my comfort to return to Connecticut, and now wished 
to be dismissed. Judge Walton, and others spoke against 
lis but in very affectionate terms, and the meeting was dis- 
missed without so much as one voice or vote in favor of my 
request, and it was the only request which I had ever 
made of them which was not granted. 

In the month of February, 1801, I called a meeting of 
all the wardens and vestrymen, of all the Episcopal church- 
es in the county of Saratoga, and in the northern part of 
the state of New- York, and invited the neighboring minis- 
ters to attend. At this meeting I laid before them an ap- 
plication made to the Episcopal churches in Ballston and 
Milton, for my dismission, that I might settle in Branford ; 
also the vote for the settlement of me in tha place, with 
the Bishop's consent ; and stated my request, that if I had 
been to them a faithful minister, and had deserved well 
from them, they would no longer object to. my happiness, 
in not granting me a dismission. And I then engaged, that 
if they would grant my request, I would not leave them, 
until I had obtained some one to take my place ; and that 
an answer was due from them to the church in BranfordL 
Whereupon Judge Walton drew up the following resolu- 
tion, which was passed .and given to me, and ulso a copy 
was sent by mail to the church in Branford, viz. 



MEMOIRS. 35 

* At a meeting of the Rectors, Church Wardens and Ves- 
trymen of the Episcopal Church in the Northern part 
oi the State of New- York, by adjournment, held in the 
church in Bailston, February 3d. 1801. 
iX Whereas application has been made to the church war- 
dens and vestrymen of the Episcopal churches of Bailston 
and Milton, from the Episcopal society of Branford, in 
Connecticut, requesting that they would permit the Rev, 
Mr. Rogers to leave the said churches, of which he is now 
Rector, that he might settle in Branford, the place of his 
nativity. And whereas, the said church wardens and ves- 
trymen having taken the subject into serious consideration, 
think that the removal of Mr. Rogers from their churches, 
would be attended with very great inconveniences to the 
mme particularly as it is much to be feared that another 
-clergyman connot be obtained, who could unite the affec- 
tions and the respect of the said congregations, in an equal 
degree with the Rev. Mr. Rogers. They cannot reflect on 
the departure of the Rev. Mr. Rogers from among them, 
without sincere sorrow, as they can scarcely hope to find a 
person endued with sufficient activity, to support the church- 
es which have been established by the unremitted exer- 
tions of their pre s am Rector, nor can they expect to meet with 
a man who can so well resist the constant opposition w T hich 
is made the blessed E iscopal church. But as the change 
of situation may be v nducive to the happiness and wel- 
fare of Mr. Rogers, an I as it would be improper and unbe- 
coming, in the highest degree, to obstruct the wishes of a 
Rector, who has so well deserved from the said congrega- 
tions — 

Therefore Resolved, That in ease the Rev. Ammi Rogers 
should deem it expedient to leave the said churches, he 
has (though reiuctan%,) the approbation of the said 
ochurch wardens and vestrymen ; but in case he can remain 
with the said churches, without doing too great injury to his 
interest and happiness, they would gladly afford him every 
countenance and support, which they have hitherto given 
him 

Henry Walton, Secretary. 
Resolved, That Henry Walton be a committee to trans- 
mit a copy of the foregoing resolution, to the Episcopal 



86 MEMOIRS* 

society in Branford, in answer to their application referre4 
to in said resolution. 

Henry Walton, Secretary. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Jt BIOGILiPHICJL SKETCH CONTINUED. 

I remained in Ballston, and preached in my parishes as 
usual, until Whit-Sunday, June 24th, 1801 ; when I ad- 
ministered the sacrament, preached a farewell sermon, and 
as their minister bid them an effectionate adieu. I had 
then during the time of my ministry, administered 1542 
baptisms ; the name and age of each had been returned to 
the bishop of New- York, at the annual convention ; and 
are on the records of the church in Ballston. I had ad^ 
mitted more than 400 persons in the county of Saratoga, 
to the holy communion, besides those in other places. I 
had joined more than 200 persons in marriage, and had in 
the whole, attended more than one hundred funerals. I had 
been to bishop Jarvis in person, and stated my intention of 
coming in that state ,and settling there. I had been to Bishop 
Provoost, and obtained letters permissory for Bishojf Jarvis 
to ordain the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, for the purpose of com- 
ing to Ballston, that I might settle in Branford. This was. 
known and understood to be the agreement, and for this 
purpose Mr. Thatcher was ordained a priest by bishop Jar- 
vis, moved into my house, and on my farm, and took pos- 
session of my parishes, and then, and not till then, I set 
off for Branford. On my way to New- York I was ob- 
structed by contrary winds, and went on shore at Catskill, 
where I staid ten days, performed divine service and 
preached there almost every day, sometimes twice and three 
times in a day, and gathered a large congregation. I after- 
wards returned and assisted them in becoming a body cor- 
porate, which has remained and prospered there to this day. 
A very handsome salary was offered me to stay and 
settle there ; and application was made by them to the 
church in Branford, for that purpose but was rejected 



Biskop JARVIS. Sft 

In the month of August 1801, 1 arrived in Branford, and 
took charge of the church in that place, in East Haven, m 
Korthford, and in Wallingford, without a dissenting voice 
or vote — all were pleased, all were happy. The congre- 
gations immediately arose into life and were greatly increas- 
ed; many within a short time, in each parish, become im- 
pressed with a deep sense of the importance of religion an3 
joined the communion. Many, who had hitherto neglected 
it, furnished themselves and their families with books of 
Common Prayer, and joined heartily and aloud in the wor- 
ship of God, las performed in the Episcopal church: many, 
who had never done it before, now signed off from the 
Presbyterians, so called, and paid their taxes to the Epis- 
copal churchy and the prospect of piety, of increase, and 
of prosperity, was never fairer. I appeal to. every person, 
who then belonged to these parishes, for the truth of what 
I say : but at this time party politics and party religion ran 
very high in Connecticut, toleration was not yet estab- 
lished 



CHAPTER Vo 

BISHOP MRV1S. 

At a Convention of the Episcopal Church in the City 
^>f Hartford and State of Connecticut ; I arose and said 
Mr. President — For many years I have 
thought, that to establish religion by force of 
civil law, was not conducive to genuine piety 
and to the real prosperity of the Redeemer's 
kingdom here on earth. It is in my opinion, 
wrong, essentially wrong, to compel people 
by force of law, to support that which they do 
not believe to be true ; and civil or militar) r 
force, exercised in matters of religion, has al- 
ways eventuated in the oppression, in the dis- 
tress? and in the destruction of mankind. In 

$ 



3g 



BISHOP JARVIg 



proof, shall I call to your view the first erft- 
sade under Peter the Hermit. Do I see one 
million one hundred thousand of the human 
race cruelly murdered and slain, at one time 
on account of Religion. The history of the 
vv hole church evinces the truth of what I say. 
What was it but a union of church and state, 
that is, investing the church with civil power* 
supported by a military force, that introduced 
and established Popery in Europe, Mahomet- 
anism in Asia, and something almost as bad 
here in New-England. A union ot church 
and state is like uniting fire and water, Heav- 
en and earth, God and mammon. It is this 
which has established the inquisition among 
the Roman Catholics in Spain, and elsewhere. 
It is this which has caused so much oppression 
and distress in England, Ireland, and Scot- 
land. It was this which murdered the Quakers 
in Salem, in Massachusetts ; tied Roger Wf^ 
iams, and his friends, to the tail ends of ox 
carts, and whipped them and the Baptists, out 
of Boston. It was this which has fined and 
imprisoned hundreds of our fellow citizens in 
Connecticut, because they would not. or could 
not in conscience, pay money to support that 
which the} 7 did not believe to be true ; and 
now, Sir, at this very time, no one can be an 
Episcopalian, or Baptist, or Methodist, or 
Quaker in Connecticut unless he will go to the 
dominant party, and virtually put off his hat, 
make a bow, and humbly ask them to take 
a certificate, ajid permit him to become 



BISHOP JARVIS* 39 

a conscientious dissenter, otherwise he must 
he taxed by them. I therefore move, 

Thai the Bishop and Clergy ^ and all the members of the 
Episcopal church in Connecticut , unite imth the republicans , 
vote for Col. Ephraim Kirky, of Litchfield^ to be governor , do 
away these offensive laws , and give to all denominations equal 
rights and privileges. 

At this bishop Jarvis and some of the clergy were very 
much displeased ; and this has been the cause of persecu- 
tion, of slander and abuse, of civil prosecution, of distress, 
of imprisonment, of disgrace, and ruin to myself, to my 
children and friends. 

In the first place, I was refused a seat in the convention 
of the Episcopal church in Connecticut, without hearing 
or trial, and actually without my knowledge, on the grourxl 
that I did not belong to that state ; which if true, was di- 
rectly contrary to the canons of the church. To the next 
Freeman's meeting, Bishop Jarvis, at the age of about 70 
years, forgetting his station, the honor of the church, arid 
the good of religion, went, took the freeman's oath, .joined 
the federal presbyterian party, and voted against CoL 
Kirby, and all others of his own communion if they hap- 
pened to be on the republican interest.* At this I felt my-^ 
self jad the church insulted and abused, and thought it my 
<hityJl^ittend to my own parishes, and have but little to do 
with any thing else. The churches in my care, prospered 
exceedingly « Their house of worship in Branford was com- 
pletely repaired and finished. The church in East-Haven 
was also repaired and finished. The church in Northford, 
which had remained ever since before th£ revolutionary war 
in a state of decay, was now repaired and finished. The 
church in Wallingford, at this time", sent to Boston and 
purchased an excellent organ. In Durham, where the 
service of the church had never been performed until I wept 
there, about 80 of the taxable inhabitants certificated and 
joined the Episcopal church finder my care; they had pro- 
cured books of common prayer, and performed the service 
remarkably well. But this prosperity only excited jealousy 
and opposition in the minds ox those who ought to have be- 

*■ I consider Congregational Presbyterianism and Federalism toi>e 
the same in Connecticut. Federalism, according to the present ac- 
ceptation of the term, is Aristocracy, and Republicanism is Democracy. 



40 BISHOP JARV'ft. 

friended me. Bishop Jarvis visited them, and without then 
knowledge, placed the Rev. Mr. Merriam there as their 
officiating minister, whereby I was precluded preaching 
there without his consent. No sooner was this known, 
than a meeting Was called and he was dismissed. During 
this time, means --were used to divide my parishes,by exciting 
distrust and opposition in the minds of my hearers, and by 
giving the presbyteijan federal party to understand that I 
was not in good standing. I and my people claimed that I 
was in good standing; and that the opposition to me was 
a& infringement ^pon the established order of the churchy 
.and that it was occasioned by presbyterian federal politics, 
A petition from the church in Branford, in East-Haven, in 
Northford, in Waliingford, and in Durham, was presented 
to the convention of the Episcopal church of Connecticut, 
convened in Danbury^in June, 1803 ; and another petition 
signed- by the Rev. Dr. Mansfield of Derby, the Rev. Mr. 
Tyler of Norwich, the R«v. Mr. Blakeslee of East-Hadam, 
the Rev. Mr. Todd of Huntington, the Rev. Mr. Miles of 
Chatham, and the Rev. Mr. Warren of Middle town, was 
presented to the same convention, in which they also stated 
their knowledge of me, of my character and standing in the 
church, of the union and uncommon prosperity ot the 
churches in my care, and prayed the bishop and clerg^| be 
reconciled to me, or to bring forward their aecusatiSR, ii 
any they had. In answer to which, the bishop arose, and 
standing within the rails of the altar, and near the commu- 
nion table, in the church in Danbury, and as president of 
the convention in 1803, declared and said, 

" We (meaning the bishop and clergy) have nothing 
against Mr, Rogers, we acknowledge his character and his 
authority to he good, and on receiving a single line from the 
Bishop of New- York y we would receive him with open arms." 
The whole controversy is now brought to a single point, 
and that a mere matter of civility or etiquette, a single line 
from the Bishop of New- York£? See the proof. 

I, Samuel J. Andrews, of Derby, in the county of New- 
Haven, and state of Connecticut, of lawful age, do testify 
and say, that I was at the convention of the Bishop, Clergy 
and Laity of the Episcopal church, holden at Danbury in 
June last; that in said convention I heard the Bishop, while 
aejting'as president .-of the same, declare that we, meaning 



SISHOP JARVI3* 41 

the bishop and clergy, have nothing against Mr. Rogers * f 
We acknowledge his authority and character to be good; 
and that on receiving a single line from the bishop of New- 
York, we would receive him with open arms, or words to 
that effect. And further saith not. 

Samuel J. Andrews. 
New-Haven County ', ss. Derby, Jan. 5th, 1804. 

Personally appeared Samuel J. Andrews, w r ho hath sub- 
scribed the foregoing affidavit, and made solemn oath that 
the same contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing 
but the truth, as relative to the subject matter thereof. Be« 
fore me, Josiah Dudley, Justice of the Peace. 

I hereby certify, that I was a delegate in the convention 
holden in Danbury, in June, 1803, and am personally 
knowing that the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit of 
Samuel J. Andrews, are correct and true. 

Josiah Dudley. 

The Rev. Doctor Mansfield of Derby, made solemn oath 
before John Humphrey Esq. and testified that he was pres- 
ent, and heard the same words. This was eleven years 
after the certificate of Mr. Perry, and nine years after it 
was inquired into by Bishop Provoost, and by him dismiss- 
ed as no crime. (See page 18, 19, and 22.) 

Here is a public and official assurance given by Bishop 
Jarvis, in behalf of himself and clergy, given as president 
of the convention of the state, and solemnly given at 
the communion table, that my authority and my character 
were good ; and a solemn pledge, that, on receiving a single 
line from the Bishop of New- York, (my republicanism to the 
contrary notwithstanding) he would receive me into the con- 
vention with open arms; but it is supposed that he had sent to 
his good friend,Dr. Beach,to prevent that line. This require- 
ment was a total departure from the established order of the 
Episcopal church — -it -was what, at that time, had never 
been required from any other clergyman. Letters of 
Orders, which I had, were always sufficient vouchers of 
a clergyman's character and standing, until he had been 
regularly impeached and tried ; but here was nothing to be 
tried for. My character and my authority were good,and there 
was nothing against me. I was not a stranger ; I was set- 
tled by the unanimous vote of the parishes in the towns 

4* 



42 BISHOP JARVIS. 

and neighbourhood where I was born and brought up, and 
where I had been recommended to be ordained at first. 
.But unreasonable, unconstitutional, and uncanonical as the 
demand was, for peace sake, my friends were determined to 
comply with it ; and accordingly the Rev. Dr. Mansfield 
and the Rev. Ambrose Todd wrote to the Bishop of New 
York, and received from him the following line viz. 
To the Rev. Richard Mansfield, D. D. Derby, Conn. 

New York, June 13th 1803. 
Rev. Sir — 
In compliance with the request contained in a letter which 
I lately received from you and the Rev. Mr. Todd, I 
have to observe, that during the residence of Mr. Rogers 
in the state of New- York, this diocess was under the di- 
rection of my predecessor, Dr. Provoost — that I never heard 
Bishop Provoost express any sentiment of disapprobation with 
regard to Mr. Rogers ; nor was there at any time, or on any 
occasion, a complaint brought up against him before the con- 
vention of the church in this state. With great respect, I 
remain, Rev. Sir, your faithful friend and servrnt, 

Benjamin Moore. 

This line was presented to Bishop Jarvis in New-Haven,, 
by me, in presence of a commitee of the church in Bradford, 
East-Haven, Northford, Wallingford, and Durham, and was 
by him, (his public and official promise to the contrary not- 
withstanding) rejected— he said,on the ground that there was 
do communication from the standing committee of the 
church in that state; but it was really because I was op- 
pose! to a union of church and state. I was now determined 
to meet him on his own ground, and for that purpose, went 
into the state of New- York, and obtained the following 
certificate from the standing committee of the church 
there viz. 

To the Right Rev. the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocess of 
Connecticut^ or any other vohom it may concern. 

This may certify, that the. Rev. Ammi Rogers was con- 
sidered as a regular ordained minister of the protestant Epis- 
copal church, in the state of New-York, and that he was 
tally a member of the Convention of this state during 
his residence here, and in good standing, and that no com- 



BISHOP JARVIS. 34 

plaint was at any time brought against him. Dated Sept, 
27, 1803. Signed, 

Theodosius Bartow, Rector of Trinity church, N. 
Rochelle. 

Elias Cooper, Rector of St. John's church, Yonkers- 

John Charlton, Member of the Standing Committee- 
of the Convention of the Church in New- York. 

Matthew Clarkson, do. 

William Ogden, do. 

Richard Harrison, do. 

The foregoing line from the Bishop of New- York, and the 
foregoing certificate from the standing committee of the 
church in that state, were presented to Bishop Jarvis in Der- 
by, by Josiah Dudley, Esq. who was a member of the con- 
vention in the state of Connecticut, and were by Bishop 
Jarvis rejected, on the pretended ground that the line from 
the bishop of New- York, was not official. I then went 
again to New-York, and obtained the following official line 
from the bishop of New- York. 

u To the Right Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D. Bisliop of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Connecticut. 

" I do hereby certify, that the Rev. Ammi Rogers left the 
state of New -York before my consecration to the office of 
a bishop, and consequently was never placed under my 
jurisdiction ; that during the time of his residence in this 
diocess, he constantly attended the conventions of the 
church, and that in those conventions no complaint was 
ever preferred against him, nor did he at any time or on 
any occasion fall under the censure of the ecclesiastical au- 
thority, 

Benjamin Moore, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in the state of New- York. 

January llth, 1804. 

The foregoing official line was presented to bishop Jarvis 
by Capt. Nathaniel Webb of Stamford ; and what could 
he require more ? his word and honor as bishop, and as 
president of the Episcopal church in Connecticut were 
pledged : the honor of the whole church in the state Was 
pledged, but, alas ! alas ! he now throws off the mask — 
fr£ breaks through all former engagements, and declares^ 



i4 BISHOP JARVtSf. 

a that a man who will make religion not only the servant, %uf 
the very scullion of a political faction , (meaning the repub- 
licans,) who are endeavoring to root all religion and authority 
out of the state, I am determined to have nothing to do with" 
He himself had made religion not only the servant, but the 
very scullion of the Presbyterian federal party, who were 
rising against the measures of our general government, and 
endeavoring to preserve a religious establishment in Con- 
necticut, which I sincerely believe to be inconsistent with 
the equal rights of other denominations. 

On the very next week after bishop Jarvis received the 
foregoing line from the bishop of New- York, he got some 
of the clergy, who were of his party, together in Litchfield, 
and in the dead of the night, without granting a hearing or 
trial, and actually without my knowledge, issued and pub- 
lished a paper, forbidding me to preach in Connecticut. 
Against this paper I issued and published a solemn protest^ 
and declared it to be without authority, and of no force ; 
"because it was issued without the previous steps required 
by the authority of God's word, and the constitution and 
canons of the Episcopal church to which I belonged ; 
because it was a violation of his most solemn vows of office, 
upon the condition of which he was ordained and made a 
bishop ; because to issue a paper against any man without 
hearing or trial, and actually without his knowledge, was 
a violation of all civil and religious compact, was disgrace- 
ful to his office, was cruel, tyrannical, and oppressive in the 
highest degree — and because the paper issued by bishop 
Jarvis against me, was a manifest and shameful violation of 
his word, & solemn assurance given to me, and to my people, 
and to the world, as bishop of the state, and as president of 
the convention of the church, in Dan bury, in 1803. On 
the same grounds, the wardens and vestry, and ninety- one 
of the most respectable members of the church in Stamford, 
issued and published their solemn protest against the paper 
of bishop Jarvis issued against me, and declared it without 
authority and void. On the same grounds, the church in 
Branford, in East-Haven, in Northford, and in many other 
places issued and published their solemn protest against the 
said paper issued against me, and declared it wholly without 
^ttithori ty and void. 



2ISHOP JARVIS, 45 

At this time, I had removed from Branford to Stamford^ 
and had by the unanimous vote of that parish, become their 
minister. And here I make a solemn appeal to the con- 
science of every person who had lived under my ministry in 
the state of Connecticut, or of New- York : have I not dil- 
igently read and expounded the holy scriptures of the old 
and new testament, as opportunity offered ? have I not en- 
deavored to fashion my own life and others, according to 
the doctrine of Christ, and to make myself a whoisome ex- 
ample to his flock ? have I not always reverently obeyed my 
bishop in all things which were according to the authority 
of God's word, and the canons of the church, and submit- 
ted myself to his godly judgment, founded on the same ? 
have I not faithfully endeavored to banish and drive away 
from the church all erroneousand strange doctrines which 
were contrary to God's word ? have I not been diligent in, 
prayers, in reading the holy suriptures, and studying the 
^ame, and in administering the sacraments, laying aside the 
study of the world and of the flesh ? have I not endeavored 
to set forward quietness, peace, and love among all christian 
people, and especially among those who were committed 
to my charge ? and were your congregations ever larger^ 
were the people ever more edified, were your parishes ever 
more prosperous, than while in my care ? and where is the 
person, man or woman, who will say that to them, and in 
their presence, I have not conducted like a gentleman and 
a christian ? even the false witnesses themselves, on whose _ 
account I have suffered imprisonment, and the loss of all 
things, have constantly declared my innocence, except 
while under the influence Gf my personal, political, and re- 
ligious enemies. 

" O, Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst 
send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee, grant 
that the ministers and stewards of thy holy mysteries, may 
likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning 
the hearts of the disobedient unto the wisdom of -the just* 
that at thy second coming to judge the world, we may be 
found acceptable in thy sight ; and grant merciful father,.. 
that thy people may both perceive and know what things 
they ought to do, and also that they may have grace and*- 



46 HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 

power faithfully to fulfil the same, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. — Amen." 

Hear me Lord Jesus, not according to the imperfection 
of my own petitions, but according to the full meaning of 
that perfect form of words, which thou thyself in great mer- 
cy hast taught and expressly commanded, that when we 
did pray, we should say, 

Our Father who art in heaven, &c. 

CHAPTER. VI. 
HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 

From the aforesaid paper, issued and published against 
me by bishop Jarvis, I appealed to the House of Bishops 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States 7 
assembled in the city of New-York, 1804, by way of peti- 
tion, and after stating my case, prayed them to decide, 1st, 
to which state I did canonicaliy belong : 2d, that a paper 
issued and published by Bishop Jarvis, against me, without 
hearing or trial, and wholly without my knowledge ; con- 
trary to the authority of God's word and the established or^ 
der of the Episcopal church; inconsistent with his most 
solemn vows of office, and in violation of his word and hon- 
or, publicly pledged as bishop, and as president of the con- 
vention of the Church in Connecticut ; might be recalled; 
and 3d, that if any one had whereof to accuse me, I might 
be served with a copy of all and every charge, together with 
the. proof, and that I might have a reasonable time to pre- 
pare and defend myself — -meaning according to the canons 
of the church in that state to which they should decide I 
belonged. 

Bishop Jarvis was a member of this House of Bishops, 
and a judge in his own case ; common delicacy would have 
induced him to withdraw, but he did not. The clerical 
delegates from Connecticut were admitted to a hearing, and 
I was called in. They stated that I had called two conven- 
tions in ConiUfeticut ; one in Wallingford, and one in Bran- 
ford, and that 1 had invited some of the leading democrats 






HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 41 



>u Connecticut to attend, -and was endeavoring to encourage 
democracy and to oppose the Bishop. I denied that I had 
ever called any convention in Connecticut, other than a 
meeting of the people in my own particular care ; or that 
I ever had used any undue influence in politics, and that I 
was so far from opposing the Bishop, that I had for the peace 
of the church, obtained documents from New- York, such 
as had never been required from any other clergyman, such 
as he was not authorised by any canon of the church to re- 
quire, and such as the bishop and committee of New- York 
were not authorised to give. 

They^then brought on the matter respecting Mr. Perry's 
certificate, see page 18. This certificate was taken from 
among my papers in Derby, the year before, without my 
knowledge or consent, and now they denied that there ever 
was such a paper. I remonstrated against any trial, except 
in the state to which I did belong, and according to the can- 
ons. I remonstrated against calling that up against me as 
a Priest which took place before I was a Deacon ; against 
permitting a matter to remain 12 or 14 years which was 
censurable, and then after my witnesses were dead, and 
when it was impossible to bring forward any living testi- 
mony, to bring it up against me ; that it was hard, it was 
unjust ; besides the matter had been fully inquired into 
in the time of it, by Bishop Provoost, who was the proper 
authority, and was dismissed by him as unworthy of no- 
tice. Bishop Jarvis handed to the delegates who were 
present from Connecticut, a number of papers. I reques- 
ted counsel and was refused—the house adjourned. At 
evening I called and requested to see some of the papers 
which were handed in against me ! whereupon they u re- 
solved that nothing shall be done in the business except in the 
presence of both parties." I then addressed a letter to the 
Right Rev, Bishop White, President of the House of Bish- 
ops in New- York, in Sept. 1804, and objected to any decis- 
ion or determination of the said House of Bishops relative 
to me, any farther forth than as it respected the diocess to 
which I did canonically belong, that I might meet the char- 
ges, if any there were, according to the constitution and 
cannons of the church ; and then immediately left the city 



"48 HOtJSE OP BlSHOPftc 

and state of New-York. After I was gone, and when bom 
parties were not present, they formed and published an opin- 
ion founded on falsehood and misrepresentation, relative to 
that certificate and my conduct in Connecticut, which was 
represented as h:^"ily dishonorable ; but at the same time 
decided on the first point, that I was a clergyman not o£ 
New-York but of Connecticut, and that it was to them that 
I was exclusively amenable. On the 2d point, as astonish- 
ing as it may seem, they approved of the conduct of Bishop 
Jams in Connecticut, i. e. I suppose he approved of his 
bum doings. On the 3d point, they directed documents to 
he furnished to both parties, as a ground of trial in Con- 
necticut. 

The very next month I sent in my petetion to the bishop 
and clergy of Connecticut, praying for a trial according to 
the canons of the church, on what they had alledged 
against rne in New- York ; and at the same time I sent in 
articles of complaint on the uncanonical, immoral and wick- 
ed conduct of Bishop Jarvis, and pledged myself to prove 
them, if they would give me an opportunity. My petition 
was not acted on, and Bishop Jarvis, again without hearing 
or trial, and without my knowledge, issued and published 
another paper, founded on the misrepresentations which he 
himself and his party had made to the House of Bishops in 
New-York, and w T hich they had referred to Connecticut 
for trial*. My articles of complaint remain with the Secre* 
fary to this day, untried and uninvestigated. 

Soon after this last paper of Bishop Jarvis was published-^ 
a- meeting of the Episcopal Society of St. John's churchy 
in Stamford, was legally warned, to call and settle a minis- 
ter ; and by a vote of this meeting I was called, received^ 
and acknowledged to be the regular, ordained, and settled 
minister and Rector of St. John's church in Stamford, and 
they agreed to pay me at the rate of $558 a year during 
my natural life, any order, determination, or decree of the. 
bishop and clergy, or any body els 3, to the contrary notwith- 
standing. About one hundred lawful voters of that parish 
were in favor of this vote, and seven against it. These 
seven, except one, were near relations and family connex- 
ions of Bishop Jarvis ; they claimed that they, seven, were 
the society, and owaed the church and property ; wad that 



HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 



49 



Xhe hundred had, by their vote, ipso facto, ceased to be 
churchmen, and had forfeited all right and title to the 
church and property. 

On this ground, they seven sued me at law, for trespass, 
in going into their church and preaching, after the bishop 
had forbid me. On trial I claimed that the bishop had no 
authority to forbid any clergyman, or to silence or de- 
grade him. It was then incumbent on the plaintiffs to show 
what authority the bishop had ; and to do this, the bishop's 
vows of office, on condition of which he was made a bish- 
op, and the constitution and canons of the church, must be 
introduced in court. 

Before any person can be made a bishop in the United 
States, he must make this promise, viz. " in the name of 

God, Amen." L A — J—— " chosen bishop of the 

Protestant Episcopal Church" (in Connecticut, or whatev*. 
vr state it my be,) " do promise conformity and obedience 
to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in the United States of America : So 
help me God through Jesus Christ." 

Among other things, he promises, " that he will, by the 
help of God, dilligently exercise such discipline as by the 
authority of God's word, and by the order" (that is, by the 
constitution and canons) " of this church is committed to 
him." In confirmation of this oath and promise, he takes 
the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and on these conditions 
with others, he is ordained and made a bishop ;< — (see the 
consecration of bishops in the book of Common Prayer.) 
By this, the bishop has no authority to exercise any disci- 
pline, to forbid, silence, degrade, or even to censure any 
clergyman without the previous steps required by the au- 
thority «f God's word, and the constitution and canons of 
the Episcopal Church. The authority of God's word is, 
if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault 
between thee and him alone," (Matth. 18th chapter) ; 
" Against an elder receive not an accusation but before 
two or three witnesses," (Tim. 5th chapter.) 

The constitution of the Prot. Ep. Church in the United 
States — " Article 6th. In every state the mode of trying 
clergymen shall be instituted by the convention of the 
church therein." &e, " Article 4th. Every bishop of this 

5 



&0 HOUSE OF BISHOPS* 

church shall confine the exercise of his Episcopal office 1# 
his owe proper dioeess or district." 

Canons made by the convention of the Episcopal church 
in Connecticut, on the first Wednesday in June, 1798, in 
conformity to the 6h article of the constitution of the Epis- 
copal church in the United States. 

Canon 3d. Offences for which a clercymanmay be brought 
to trial in Connecticut— Disorderly and immoral conduct, 
neglect of duty, disregarding the constitution and canons of 
the church, or disseminating or countenancing opinions 
which are contrary to its doctrines, are offences for which a 
clergyman may be brought to trial. 

Cannon i. The mode of trying a clergyman in Con- 
necticut. — If a minister offend in any of these respects, ap- 
plication in" writing, signed by his accusers, shall be sent in 
the first instance to the standing committee, and if it ap- 
pears to them that there is ground for the charge, they shall 
report thereupon to the bishop, who shall call a convention 
of Lis clergy, not less than seven, and after zfull hearing? 
mid fair trial and examination , the bishop with" the advice of 
she clergy present, shall pronounce sentence against 

Before the Hon. Judge Davenport , in Connecticut* 
Nathaniel Webb, and others vs. Ammi Rogers. 

This is an action of trespass, in which the plaintiffs de- 
man of the defendant, damage and their cost, for going in- 
to their church in Stamford, in Connecticut, and performing 
nruisterial duties, alter he was degraded and forbidden by 
the bishop. 

u And the defendant did offer then to prove in court y by 
tlie Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, who had long been, and at, and 
long before the time of rendering said sentence of degra- 
dation, was, and still is, secretary of the convention of the 
diocess of this state, & one of the standing committee there- 
of— -that no application in writing was ever made to the said 
standing committee, against or concerning the said Ammi 
Rogers ; and that no report bad ever been made against 
said Rogers by any standing committee, as is required in 
said 4th Canon ; and that no trial of said Rogers was ever 
bad by any convention of clergy in this state. The de- 



HOUSE OP BISHOPS. Bl ; 

feasant claimed that the said testimony of sa;d Balaam 
wa§ adrrrssible, to shew *to s&id bishop had no pcwer &> 
dsgrade the defendant at the ivms of issuing (knApronounctm 
the same. To which the plaiiit'ifs did object, on the ground 
that the said bishop and clergy are a court ecclesiastical, 
with competent power and authority ; and t hey only having 
jurisdiction to try, condemn and degrade any of the clergy 
belonging to the diocess of Connecticut, and that their 
decision is final and cannot be inquired into by the courts 
of law of civil jurisdiction; which testimony of said Bald- 
win teas adjudged by this court to be admssible—aud the 
same was heard, and went to prove ; and the court found 
the facts from him claimed by the defendant to be true 5 ? — 
[ a and the said Rogers is not silenced nor degraded ; but 
has full power and authority to go into the. church, to* 
preach, to baptize, to administer the sacrament, to marry^ 
and to perform all the duties pertaining to his office as ^ 
priest in full orders and in good standing in the Protestant 
Epicsopal church,"] 

The foregoing is truly extracted from the bill of excep- 
tions, [before the superior court in Fairfield county] in the 
case of Nathaniel Webh and others vs. Ammi Rogers, da- 
ted May 28th, 1805. Examined hj me, 

Ebenezer Davenport, Justice of tho Peace," 

" The bishop's party sued me nine times for this same 
trespass, and there was seldom a day, for almost eight yearn, 
when I was not harrassed, persecuted, and distressed with 
these vexatious and unreasoable law suits, I was attached 
in the most spiteful manner, and brought before justices 
courts, county courts, superior courts, courts of error, and 
in every instance I beat them, and recovered my cost, or 
they withdrew their suit and paid their own cost. They 
never did at any time, or on any occasion, recover from me 
so much as one cent, or prove any thing to my dishonor o^ 
disadvantage, though they ransacked, with the most mali- 
cious in tentions, the most private passages of my whole 
life, I was obliged to attend court four, and six times a 
year, at a distance of twenty or twenty-five miles, with my 
lawyers and witnesses, and prepared for trial ; and towards 
the end of the term they would get the case continued, or 
appeal, or withdraw and sue again, or I would beat them. 



&£ HOUSE OP BISHOPS, 






Their object was, without doubt, to run me down, and tcf 1 
pm out my property. If the reader asks why was all thi* 
burred, animosity, and contention ? 1" answer, not because I 
had committed any crime,not because I was not a clergyman 
In regular and good standing, and in love and friendship 
with my own people ; and the bishop himself had acknowl- 
edged my character and authority to be good, (see page 
39;) but I was a republican in principle. I was opposed 
to a union of church and state — I was opposed to compell- 
ing people by force of law to^ support that which 
they did not believe to be true, or to acknowledge them- 
selves dissenters from those who were dissenters themselves. 
In Connecticut every settled, congregational presbyterian. 
minister can send his collector and take any man's horse 
from under him,, or his oxen, or cows, or hogs, or any prop- 
erty which he possesses, (unless he has signed off,) and can 
sell it at the post without suing him, or granting him a hear- 
ing. I have known them take even a man's Bible, and sell 
it at the post to pay the minister's tax. I have known 
Episcopalians, Baptists and others, actually locked up and 
confined in a filthy, disgraceful jail, imConnecticut, merely 
because they would not, or could not in conscience pay 
their money to support that which they did not believe to 
be true, I could mention the persons, times and places, 
but I presume that no one acquainted in Connecticut will 
deny the fact. Can it then be any wonder if these same- 
people should join with bishop Jarvis, and cause me to be 
sued nine times for the same pretended trespass, keep me 
eight years inlaw, and finally on the charge of crimes which 
never were committed, disgrace, imprison, and ruin me and 
my innocent children and friends. 

Nathaniel Webb and ethers vs. Ammi Rogers. 

An extract of the deposition of the Rev: Philo Shelton, before 

the Superior Court y in Fairfield county, Connecticut. 

Question. Are you a member of the standing commit- 
tee of the Episcopal church in this state, and have you been 
such for many years last past, and at the time Bishop Jarvis 

jed his sentences against the defendant. 

Answer. Yes. 

Question^ Was there ever a complaint or application 



fiOUSE OF BISHOPS. 53 

made in.writing, signed by accusers, against the defendant, 
as is required by the 6th article of the general ecclesiasti- 
cal constitution, and the 4th canon of the Episcopal church 
in this state. [See page 50.] 

Answer. No. 

Question. Did the standing committee aforesaid, ever 
report a complaint against or concerning the defendant, as 
is required by the aforesaid constitution and canons ? 

Answer,. No* 

Question. Did Bishop Jarvis ever call a convention of 
the clergy on account of the defendant, and grant him, the 
said defendant, a full hearing and fair trial, according to the 
aforesaid constitution and canons ? 

Answer. No. 

Question. Did not the house of bishops in New- York, 
September, 1804, determine that the defendant was exclu- 
sively amenable to the authority of the Episcopal church in 
Connecticut. 

Answer. Yes. 

I certify that the foregoing is a true extract of the depo- 
sition of the Rev. Phiio Sheiton, before the superior court 
in Fairfield county, in the year 1806. 

David Burr, Clerk of said Court. 

N. B. Look at the Bishop's vows of office— How sol- 
emnly did he promise and swear, that he would exercise 
such discipline as by the authority of God's word and the 
constitution and canons of this church is committed to him ! 
did he not take the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to con- 
firm this oath and promise ! and awfully- wicked must he 
be who would destroy the whole order of the church ! and 
destroy a clergyman, without hearing or trial. 

Nathaniel Webb and others vs. Ammi Rogers. 

Before the Superior Court of Connecticut in Fairfield 
County, 1806. 

William White D. D, Bishop of the P. E. Church in 
Pennsylvania, deposeth and saith — That he was a member 
and president of the House of Bishops in the city of New- 
York, in September, 1804 ; That he did not consider the 
House of Bishops as exercising discipline on Ammi Rogers, 
whe they gave their opinion in his case at that time 



81 HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 

That in his opinion it does not come within the province of the 
House of Bishops to try, judge or in any way condemn a 
Clergyman who is exclusively amenable to the authority of the 
Diocess of Connecticut. That he did not consider the 
House, of Bishops as enjoining any duty on Bishop Jarvis, 
or requiring from him any act, but only as expressing an 
opinion to be communicated to said Rogers and those cler- 
gymen who had appeared against him before the Bishops ; 
that to the best of his recollection the said Rogers did ob- 
ject both in words and in writing to any decision of the 
house of bishops relative to him any further forth than as 
it respected the diocess to which he did canonically belong, 
and where he might have time to collect Lis witnesses and' 
shew the falsity of any charges which had or might be 
brought against him. 

Subscribed and sworn in the city of Philadelphia on the 
26th of July 1806, before 

Richard Palmer, Justice of the Peace. 

Benjamin Moore, D„ D. Bishop of the Protestant Episco- 
pal Church in the state of New- York — Deposeth and saith^, 
That he was a member of the general Convention of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, held in the city of New 
York, in the month of September, A. D. 1804. That cer- 
matters were brought before the house of Bishops, for 
tlielr consideration by the Rev. Ammi Rogers, &c. That, 
in remid to what authority is Mr. Rogers, amenable ? the 
V;,; of Bishops were of opinion, that he was exclusively 
v > e authority of the Church in Connecticut — • 

and moreover, it appeared to this deponent to be the wish? 
and intention of the house of Bishops to refer the said 
Ammi Rogers, to the authority of the Church in Connecti- 
cut, that he might be proceeded against according to the 
constitution and canons of the Church, and that the opinion 
delivered by the house of Bishops, teas not considered by 
&em as judicial, but the case of Mr. Rogers was referred 
:o the authority of the Church in Connecticut FOR a trial*. 

Benjamin Moore. 

City, County, and state of New-York, ss. July 22, A. D; 
1806. Then and there personally appeared Benjamin 
Moore, the above named deponent, who subscribed antf 



HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 55 

mode oath to the foregoing depositions in due form of law. 
before me. 

A. C. Van Slyke, Justice of the Peace. 

Bishop Moore and Bishop White solemnly swear,that the 
case of Mr. Rogers was referred to Connecticut for trial.— 
Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Shelton solemnly swear that that 
trial has never been granted ; and our courts of law and 
House of Bishops, have solemnly declared that he is not 
silenced nor degraded. 

To the Rev. Ammi Rogers, Hebron, Tolland county Con- 
necticut. Stamford, Jan. 31 , 1818. 
Rev. Sii*— 

I received yours of the 14th inst. and now inform you 
that the conduct of the Rev. Mr. Burhans, is still fresh in my 
memory. He came to the house of Mr. Quintard, where you 
boarded, with the Rev. Mr. Todd, and I was there, to con- 
fer with me, as one of the wardens of the church, for your 
dismission. I informed them that the parish had never 
been more united and pleased with any minister than they 
were with you, that a minister was generally best known 
by his own parishioners, that if they had any thing against 
you, they ought to state it in your presence and give you 
an opportunity of making your defence, and unless they 
would do this, I should have nothing to do with them. 
They informed me that Bishop Jarvis would not consent to 
that. You then attacked Mr. Burhans about; the certificate 
of Mr. Perry of Newtown ; you asked him how he could 
inform Mr. Butler that' there was no such certificate, that 
it was all a lie, and a sham, and a forgery, when he had at 
that very time, the certificate in his own possession conceal- 
ed, and had acknowledged before the Rev. Dr. Mansfield, 
and others, that he knew it to be the hand-writing of Mr- 
Perry ; that he knew it as well as he did his own, and 
could swear to it. At this Mr. Burhans walked off with- 
out making a reply. Mr. Todd remained some time, and 
said he was sensible that you had been treated with great 
and cruel injustice ; that he was sorry for it, and would do 
every thing in his power to have it settled. The next 
morning I was present, when he brought Mr. Burhans to 
you, at Mr. Quintard's who then confessed to you, that he 
had been to blame about that certificate ; that he did not 



oG HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 

blame you for being offended with him ; that he had done 
wrong, and was sorry for it, and asked you to forgive him ; 
that the certificate was yours and you should have it ; he 
had it not with him, but you should have it in a fortnight ; 
that he took it by accident or mistake, and when he spoke 
to Mr. Butler about it, he did not know that he had it. 
This I think took place in 1805. [Mr. Quintard, his fam- 
ily, and others, were present.] The certificate not being 
returned for several months, it was advertised in the news- 
paper printed in Banbury, and broad hints were given that 
it would soon be called for by the authority of the state, 
for that it had been taken from Mr. Rogers ig a clandestine 
and felonious manner, and kept from him three years, and 
to his great injury. That soon after this advertisement, the 
said Burhans came to my house with tvvo others, you being 
aut of town at that time, and presented to me the said cer- 
tificate- for you. I told him I should have nothing to do 
with it : that I did not know the hand -writing, and should 
give no receipt for it. He said that it was the same certifi- 
cate which Mi. Perry gave you, that he knew it to be 
his hand writing, that he did not take it of his own accord 
or by mistake, for it was given to him before witnesses to 
keep, by Mr. Baldwin, and it was done hy Bishop Jarvise's 
order , and he would let me know it. I then received the 
said certificate from Mr. Burhans, and delivered the same 
to you.* He then having the news paper in his pocket, 
containing the advertisement, took it out and demanded 
from me, ii I w T as the author of thai piece signed with my 
name. I told him the paper would speak for itself, and he 
might make what use of it he pleased. So we paited ; with 
pleasure to me, for I did not wish to be in company with a 
man of his profession, w r he- would tell so many different 
stories on the same subject, and which would clash so hard. 
It certainly must be a bad cause which w r ould require such 
means to support it. It looked so much like lying, which 
is a thing that I always despise, in any man, but more espe- 

*The same original cerliftcat (see page 19) is now in my possession 
and is acknowledged by the Bishop and all the Clergy to be in body 
and in signature in the "hand-writing of the Rev. Philo Perry, and that' 
it is true, and also the original letter of Isaac Davis, on the same page 
and ix his own hand writing, is now in my possesion. 



HOUSE OF BISHOPS. &% 

dally in a clergyman, and it came within my own personal 
knowledge too, that I never can forget it. Thus I have 
given you a short but true account of the affair as it took 
place at that time, and I am, Rev. Sir, with sentiments of 
great respect, your sincere friend. 

Cars: Leeds. 

Mr. Leeds is a man of large property, of good morale 
character, has for many years been one of the wardens of 
the Episcopal church in Stamford, and is as much to be be- 
lieved as any man in that town. How unjust, how cruel, 
mean and dishonorable was it to take that certificate from me 
without my knowledge or consent, to keep it concealed for 
three years,deny that there ever was any such certificate, get 
me disgraced in the want of it ; and now call upon the whole 
Episcopal church and others to support them in their wicked- 
ness. Is there a gang of the meanest miscreants on earth, is 
there a gang of highway robbers who would treat one of their 
comrades worse than this ? and are not those who would 
knowingly uphold them as bad as they are ! 

After having been sued nine times for the same pretended 
trespass, and harassed, persecuted and distressed for almost 
eight years, I sued Nathaniel Webb and others for dis- 
tressing me with vexatious and unreasonable law suits, and 
after a full hearing and a fair trial, and able counsel on both 
sides, before the Superior Court in Fairfield, in Connecticut* 
on the 29th day of December, 1S09, I recovered a verdict 
of $600, against them ; but this was but a small part of 
the real money which I had actually paid, besides my time 
and trouble. The papers were returned and the case was 
afterwards privately settled. 

To the Rev. Tillotson Bronson, D. D. President of the 
Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in Connecti- 
cut. 

Glastenbury. April 17, 1815. 
Rev. Sir — 

We received yours of the 13th ult. and have noticed the 
contents. In our first communication to yon, we wished 
to be unequivocally informed : has there ever been any 
complaint, hearing, or trial, of the Rev. Ammi Rogers, ac- 
cording to the canons of the church in this state or any oth- 



&$„ HOUSS..-OF BISHOPS. 

er ? Four answer was no, and. at. the same time informed 
us that Mr. Rogers had applied to the House of Bishops, 
in 1804, and that he was actually tried, and by them con- 
demned ; and considering their vows of office, and the 
established order and security of the Episcopal church, we 
could not withhold our astonishment ! But on further in- 
quiry we found, that bishop White and bishop Moore had' 
each of them, under the solemnity of an oath before a court 
of law, contradicted your information, and testified that 
Mr. Rogers had not heen tried nor condemned by them, 
and that they had no cognizance of his case — and we were 
led to believe that Bishop Jarvis's papers against Mr. Rog- 
ers, were a solemn mockery, a farce and an imposition ; or 
that the said bishops had perjured themselves. But to be - 
certain on the subject we wrote to you again, and requested 
you to inform us : 1st. By what- authority did bishop Jar- 
vis issue his papers against Mr. Rogers without hearing or 
trial, according to the canons of the church, in this state, 
or any other ? 2d. Who has constituted the house of bish- 
ops a tribune! to try any clergyman ? 3d. Is any clergyman- 
to be considered unworthy or degraded except in conse- 
quence of a trial according to the canons of the church in 
that state to which he belongs ? We expected that as a gen- 
tleman, as a christian and as president of the standing com- 
mittee, 01 whom, you say, it devolves to give the necessa- 
sary information, you would have informed us ; but you 
have thought proper to shrink from these inquiries. Wheth- 
er it was because you had not goodness enough to confess 
and retract, or because you wished us to sanction and carry 
into effect that which you and we knew to be wrong, we 
do not know ; but this we do know, that you have not an- 
swered our inquiries. You say if there has been an error, 
the House of Bishops are the only proper authority to cor- 
rect it. This surely must be a mere put off, for you cannot 
be insensible that he did apply to them in 1808, and that 
they and ih.e general convention then decided, that he was 
exclusively amenable to the authority of the church in 
Connecticut; (and thai by the 6th article of the constitution 
wfdeh secures, to every clergyman in the United, States the priv- 
ilege of being tried according to the canons of the church in 
lhat state to which he belonys theg had no cognizance of km 



HOtTSS OF BISHOPS, $& 

tme.) Why then do you lefer him t3 them ? Sat we hare 
written to bishop White on the subject, and received his 
answer, dated Philadelphia, March 8, 1815, in which he 
says, a When the bishops, during the said convention, went 
on the business referred to, it was for the purpose of giv- 
ing their opinion on the question, whether Mr. Rogers be- 
longed to the church in Connecticut, or that in New- York. 
Soon after the convention had arisen, bishop Moore and I 
were asked, whether we considered what had passed as a 
trial of Mr. Rogers, and we both declared we did not y and 
there was no other bishop present except Dr. Parker, who 
in the mean time has departed this life." Now, Sir, if we 
compare *his with your information to us, what shall we 
think, what shall we believe, what shall we know ? If the 
whole proceedings agianst Mr. Rogers have been wholly 
unauthorized and void, we wish you and the standing com- 
mittee to declare it ; if they have been according to the au- 
thority of God's Word, and the constitution and canons of 
the church ; shew us whrein, by referring to chapter and 
verse, to article and canon. This, as guardians of the church, 
as gentlemen and as christians, you will not refuse to do, 
Please to lay this before the standing committee so soon as 
opportunity will permit, and favor us with their answer, 
and in so doing you will much oblige your humble ser- 
vants. 

John Cleaver, Roger Hale, 

Alexander Hollester, James Robinson, 

David Robinson, Jared Goodrich, 

Ezra Dayton, Henry Jones, 

Samuel Taylor, 2d. Gideon Hale, 

Daniel Andrews, 
The above named gentlemen were the wardens and ves- 
trymen of the church in Glastenbury, a few miles below 
the city of Hartford, and are among the first for respecta- 
bility in that town. Mr. John Cleaver, who was one of 
the wardens and a very respectable man, took the most un- 
wearied pains to have the clergy come forward with their 
complaint, if any they had, for my parishes were all per- 
fectly in my favor. The only thing pretended was that cer- 
tificate of Mr. Perry, [See page 19] but they dare not bring 
it into trial, for it took place before I was even a deacon. 



©O HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 

and it had already been dismissed by bishop Provoost m 
-■unworthy of notice : but was it no crime in them to take 
it from me, by the direction of bishop Jarvis, without my 
knoweledge or consent ? was it no crime to keep it con- 
cealed for three years, to deny that there ever was any such 
certificate ; while at the same time they had it in their pos- 
session concealed ; and taken without my knowledge ? 
was there no crime in all this ? Yet they will hang to- 
gether, and get the people to support them, and to despise 
me if they can ; But their real objection was the motion 
made in Hartford, 1802. [See page 38.] It was because 
I was opposed to a union of church and state, because I 
thought it wrong to invest any ecclesiastical tribunal with 
^ivil and military power : but it would have been unpopu- 
lar, and they dale not bring it forward as a complaint, 
A clergyman is generajly best known in his own 
parish and among his neighbours ; and my parishes 
were perfectly united in me, even the seven who sued me, 
declared that they had not any thing personally against me, 
and that if the bishop and clergy were satisfied with me, 
they should be ; but the fact is, I dared to deny, that they 
had any authority, except according to the constitution and 
canons of the church. I was a Protestant Republican. 

After Bishop Jarvis had issued his papers against me, 
and I was settled in Stamford, as before stated ; he called 
a number of his clergy together in that place, and sent to 
the wardens of the church for the key ; they replied that 
the key was in the possession of the Rev. Ammi Rogers, 
their Rector ; that if they wanted it they must apply to him. 
Bishop Jarvis then addressed a letter to Mr. Ammi Rogers 
in Stamford, directing the key to be given to the bearer. 
I returned an answer, that I knew no such man in Stamford 
as Mr. Ammi Rogers ; that if he wanted the key of the 
church, he must apply to the proper officer, with the title 
vf his {office. The key was not given up ,and they held 
their meeting in the school-house, at a few rods distant 
from the church. At this school-house, bishop Jarvis him- 
self, and some others of his party, had frequent meetings, 
while the door of the church was shut against them. Their 
object appeared to be, to divide the affections of my people, 
and to carry into eSect the bishop's papers, by propagating 



KOITSE OF BISHOP& @* 

^simy a -mail's character , no innocence, no virtue, no in- 
tegrity can stand before them ! 

After I had recovered a verdict of $600, before the 
f>erior court, for vexatious and unreasonable law suits, I 
left Connecticut, and moved into Greenfield, in the county 
of Saratoga and state of New- York, where I had formerly 
been acquainted ; and collected a congregation, organized 
a church, had it incorporated according to law, and was 
settled there as their Rector. I then hreught a suit against 
hishop Jarvis for slander before the circuit court of the Uni- 
ted States, to be holden in New-Haven, in Connecticut; 
in April, 1811. Here I was prepared {o support my 
character and standing, from the town where I was bora,, 
irom every place where I had resided, and' from every 
parish of which I had the charge. But although I had ta- 
ken the words of my deelaratpGfT, in writing, from the 
mouths of my witnesses, before I brought the suit ;\yet 
now, they being in the neighborhood of bishop Jarvis, and 
of his federal friends, and in my absence out of the state- 
they could not be made to remember any thing which he 
had said against me; I could not prove the words of my 
declaration, and was obliged, at a great expense, to with- 
draw my suit. Soon after, bishop jarvis went into the 
city of New- York, I pursued .him, and there arrested him 
with a supreme writ for $20,000 damage, in issuing pa- 
pers against me, without authority, thereby causing ine., 
my children and friends to be disgraced, and unjustly dis- 
tressed ; causing me to be harrassed and put at great ex- 
pense with vexatious and unreasonable law suits ; distres- 
sing my parishes, breaking up my settlements, &c. 

After I had sued bishop Jarvis m 1811, before the su- 
preme court in the state of New-York, I was employed, 
and took charge of the Ep. church in Saybrook, Conn, and 
preached a part of the time in Pleasant Valley in Lime, and 
remained there until 1813* In April 1813, my case against 
bishop Jarvis was brought before the court in the city of N.Y. 
The questions were, 1st, Did the defendant issue papers 
against the plaintiff ? The papers were ready in court to 
be produced. 2d, Had the defendant any authority, civil 
or ecclesiastical, to issue and publish those papers in the 
manner and under the circumstances in which he did ? 

6 



62 HOUSE OF BISHOPS. 

Courts of law of competent Jurisdiction in the state c£ 
Connecticut, had already decided that he had not, 3d f 
What is the damage in this case, special and exemplary ? 
While this case was depending, and before a decision was 
obtained, bishop Jarvis died, and the case died with him, 
Thus the matter ended so far. 

In the year 1808, 1 went to Baltimore, in the state of Ma- 
ryland, and presented my petition to the general conven- 
tion of the Episcopal church, then sitting there, complain- 
ing of v bishop Jarvis, for issuing and publishing papers 
against me, without hearing or trial ; without my knowl- 
edge, and contrary to the canons of the church ; and pray- 
ing to have them revoked and declared void, as they 
were. Humble petitions from the church in Branford, in 
East-Haven, in Northford, in Wallingford, in Durham, in 
Woodbridge, in Salem pari of Waterbury, in the north 
society in Derby, in Stamford, in Greenwich, in New Ca- 
naan, all in the state of Connecticut : and from the church 
in Ballston, in Milton, and in Charlton, in the state of New 
York, to the same amount; and stating their knowledge 
and approbation of me and my character, were also pre- 
sented to the general convention at the same time. Where- 
upon it was resolved, that neither the general convention 
nor any bishop has the cognizance of the conduct of any 
minister, except in the diocess to which he belongs, and 
conformably to the canons, by the convention of the church 
in that diocess, prescribed. This was the amount, if not 
the very words of their resolution, But to afford the re- 
dress prayed for, the House of Bishops, in their pastoral 
letter to every member of the Episcopal church in the 
United States, issued and published at that time, (1808) 
declared the established principle- of the church on this 
point in page 15 and 16, viz. 

u The church has made provision for the degradation of 
unworthy clergymen. It is for us to suppose that there 
are none of that description, until the contrary is made 
known to us, in our respective places, in the manner pre- 
scribed by the canons." [i. e, neither the Rev. Ammi Rogers 
nor any other clergyman is to be considered silenced, unwor- 
thy or degraded, until he has had a full hearing and fair tri- 
al according to the canons of some particular state or diocess^ 



HOUSE OF BISHOPS. SB 

(o which he belongs,] " and if the contrary to what we wish 
is in any instance to be found," [i. e. if Bishop Jarvis has 
done this thing] " it lies on you, our clerical and lay breth- 
ren, to present such faulty conduct, although with due re- 
gard to proof, and above all, in a temper w^hich shews the 
impelling motive, to be the glory of God, and the sanctity 
of the reputation of his church. 

" While we are not conscious of any bias, which under 
an official call would prevent the conscientious discharge 

01 duty, WE WISH TO BE EXPLICIT IN MAKING KNOWN TO 
ALL, THAT WE THINK IT DUE TO GOD AND TO HIS CHURCH 
TO AVOID WHATEVER MAY SANCTION ASSUMED POWER, 

however desirable the end to which it may be directed : 
we have at least as weighty reasons to restrain us from 
judging without inquiry, and from censuring without evi- 
dence of crime ; these are ends to which men of im- 
petuous spirits would sometimes draw. But we would 
rather subject ourselves to the charge of indifference, how- 
ever little merited, than be the means of establishing pre- 
cedents, giving to slander an advantage^ against which no 
innocence can be a shield, and leaving to no man a secu- 
rity, either of interest or of reputation/ 5 [t, e, the House 
of Bishops would rather let the guilty go unpunished, than he 
the means of establishing precedents of assumed power, in 
declaring a clergyman unworthy and degraded without .hear- 
ing or trial according to the canons of the church in that 
state to which he belongs ; for this would be giving to slan- 
der an advantage, against which no innocence could be a 
shield, and it would be leaving to no man a security, either 
of interest or of reputation] " Although we have no rea- 
son to complain that sentiments in contrariety to these pre- 
vail among us to any considerable extent,'' [i. e. no one 
but Bishop Jarvis has assumed this power,] "yet we freely 
deliver our sentiments on this subject, in order to give us 
an opportunity of calling on all wise and good men, and 
we shall not call on them in vain, to aid us in resisting that 
mischievous spirit, which confounds right and wrong, in 
judging the character and rights of others. 

Signed by order of the House of Bishops in General 
Convention, "at Baltimore, May 23d, 1808. 

William White, Presiding Bishop, 
Attested by James Whitehead, Secretary, 



64 • HOUSE 0f BISHOPS, 

Thus the papers Issued against me, By Bishop Jarvi&; 
ere wholly revoked and declared void by the house of Bish- 
ops, the highest ecclesiastical authority in the Episcopal; 
church in the United States. I am by "them 'virtually de- 
c-tared a • clergyman of good standing in the Episcopal 
church, and the conduct of bishop Jarvis, in regard to mo,~ 
is reprobated in language of great justice and severity. 

State of Connecticut, ss.- — Tolland Co. Hebron, June 15* 
1818. 

We, the undersigned, hereby certify, that we have this 
day carefully examined and compared an extract of the 
minutes of the House of Bishops, in Baltimore, in the state 
of Maryland, on the 20th day of May, 1808, which is in 
body, in signature, and duly attested in the hand writing 
of the Rev* James Whitehead, D. D. their secretary- — 
that on the aforesaid careful examination and comparison 
with the printed journal of tile said' House of Bishops, there 
are material additions, omissions and alterations in the said. 
printed journal, all to the particular disadvantage of the 
Rev, Amrni Rogers, viz. the word this, page 22, line 14^ 
is altered to their determination, and in, the next line, the 
word properly is omitted ; in the 23d line of the same 
page the word censure is altered into sentence, and- in the 
next line the word now is omitted, and the words or al^ 
Mration are added^ &c» entirely .altering, the meaning. 

Certified by - 

Andrew Mann, Justice of Peace. 
Stewart Beebe, Justice of Peace. 
Pay ton R. Gilbert, Justice of Peace, 

Is it no crime to forge and alter the journal of the House 
of Bishops, and to represent them as saying and doing that 
to my particular disadvantage which they never did say or 
do ? Is there no crime in this ? Are the Episcopal clergy 
calling upon all people to assist them in sanctioning these 
nefarious doings ? and can you support them in doing it with- 
out being as bad as they are ? Do you ask, who has done 
this abominable thing ? I answer, Bishop Jarvis and his 
party. Do you ask, why have the bishop and clergy of 
Connecticut persecuted me, and refused me a seat.in.theii- 



BISHOP HOBART. 



65 



convention ? I answer, because they knew assuredly that 
I would bring these things up against them. To take from 
me my certificate, the evidence of my innocence, without 
my knowledge ; to misrepresent and falsify the truth, and 
induce the House of Bishops, in 1804, to do the same ; 
and in 1808 to forge and alter their journal, is certainly 
worse than for Mr. Davis to forge the truth to contradict a 
falsehood. See page 19. 

In the year 1813 I removed from Say brook and was em- 
ployed to perform ministerial duties in St. Peter's church 
in Hebron, in Tolland county, one part of the time. I al- 
so collected a congregation, and was employed to preach 
a part of the time in Jewitt City, a handsome village, 
which was then a part of the town of Preston, and near 
Lisbon, but is now a part of the town of Griswold, in New 
London county. The next year I was employed to preach 
a part of the time in Poquatanac, which is a handsome vil- 
lage on a bay on the east side of the River Thames,ten miles 
from New London, on the line between the towns of Gro- 
t'on and Preston. In these parishes, and in some other 
towns in that part of the state, religion and the Episcopal 
church were blessed and prospered exceedingly under my 
ministry. The congregations were large, attentive, uni- 
ted, and I believe were happy. The reader is desired to 
read a letter on this subject from the Rev. Mr. Blakeslee, 
to the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, in N. T. page 71. The 
presbyterian clergy in general, and the federal part of the 
community were much opposed to me, reported many false 
and foolish stories, and represented me as silenced and de- 
graded, the pastoral letter of the House of Bishops, and 
the decisions of our courts of law to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

CHAPTER VII. 

BISHOP HOBART IJf CONNECTICUT, $c.. 

In the year 1816, Bishop Hobart of New-York, was re- 
quested by the convention of the Episcopal church im Coa- 

6* 



68 



EfSHO? HOBART.. 



necticut, to take charge of their churches, for the -present* 
and to perform Episcopal duties in the state ; with this re- 
*£ue£t he complied ; arid soon after, the Rev. Mr. Blakeslee 
ol JSew-London, and the Rev. Mr. Tyler of Norwich, ad- 
dressed to him the following letter, viz. 

New-London, Oct. IQth, 1816,. 
:t Rev. Sir, 
We deem it a duty which we owe to ourselves and to 
tao church, but more especially to the Bishop, to express 
. ri:se of the obligation he has conferred in extending 
are to the interest and welfare of the church in this 
diocese. We should be pleased to at ati n 

:- - : Tv-Haven, with our brethren. able. 

testify our acknowledgments, and welcome the bish- 
r: hope our absence will nc ;nstrn° 

of respect, or prevent the bis; visit- 

as soon as may be. C .. : look- 

i i r:y Tor the time, and we coroainly feel as 
-"■for the ; .In d while 

t '.' absence, we 

on a m 
>cal situation, we may re supposed to feei 
& peculiar We are 1c . : rhood . 

re, whose standing, is nor o un«. 

on E shop. To dictate c le of proceed- 

on tion ; but we beg leave to suggest 
"..met be done that .. e the 

oe that unity which is \ : ::_ 

churches 
: or the care of a 

: i -intending Providence) by his ::s, under 

the opposing difficulties which attend him. His 
• ers and many other gentlemen, as well clergy as laity, 
seem to doubt the constitutionality of his trial, [he never 
/ trial, see page 58] and the correctness of the sen- 
tence of degradation which is said to lie against him ; of 
eon e the decree has not been regarded by great bodies of 
I He is now performing the stated duties of apres- 

he Episcopal church. His frieods say (and we 
witli stiict propriety, so far as respects the church-. 



BISHOP HOBART. 6T 

es in our neighbourhood,) that Mr. Rogers has been exem- 
plary in his conduct, zealous in the discharge of his duty, 
correct in his doctrines, persevering in the cause of the 
church ; and they most devoutly request that the bishop 
would advise some method, either by trial or reconciliation , 
by strict constitutional discipline, or hj an indulgence foun- . 
ded on a wish to conciliate, and a charity which inclines to 
mercy, where the technical rules of legal administration 
will permit. And, sir, when we view this unhappy mis- 
understanding in all its bearings, we cannot but feel a wish 
that the bishop would, in his wisdom, (fih e satisfied 

with his zeal for the promotion of the 
church,) devise some method by which this unbapp y 
vision may be healed, and the peace, honor and welfare of 
that communion to which we belong, be preserved and 
; and the enemies of our morjilioly faith be 
deprived of -their boasting, 

With se: i€ ; of the most profound respect a; : 
ful submission to the direction of c ; 
Bight Reverend Sir, yours, &e. 

John Triii 
Rector of 'Christ's Church, Is \ 
Solomon Blaseslee, 
Rector of St. James G ~ew-London. 

1 attended the convention of the Episcopal church in 
New-Naven, in October, 1816, when I 'wrote and sent to 
Bishop Hobart the following letter, viz. 

New-Haven^ Oct, 15th 9 1816. 
Right Rev. Sir, 

After what has passed, with how much reason I can ap- 
ply to the goodness of your disposition, to your justice, to 
your mercy, or to tlie charity of the disciple of him who 
hath said, u condemn not and.ye shall not be condemned" the 
result of this communication will in some measure evince. 
It was twenty-four years on the 24th day of last June, since 
I was ordained deacon, and it will be twenty-two years 
on the 19th day of this present mc nth, since I was ordain- 
ed a priest. And in entering this holy and ail-impor- 
tant ministry, I did then, and do now, humbly trust and 
believe that I was inwardly moved by that ever blessed 
Spirit of God, from whom all holy desires, ail good coun? 



SB BISHOP HOBART. 

seis, and all just works do proceed ; that I was truly call- 
ed according to the will of God and the canons of the 
Episcopal church ; and I have, as God has enahled me, 
endeavoured with all faithfulness rightly and truly to ad- 
minister the doctrines and sacraments of the church of God, 
and to make myself a wholdsome example to the flock of 
Christ, I have administered, during my ministry, ahout 
three thousand baptisms to men, women and children. I 
have, upon their credible profession of faith and repen- 
tence, and an assurance of their earnest intention, by God's 
grace, to lead a new life, following the -commandments of 
God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways, ad- 
mitted to the holy communion more than Ave hundred 
persons, and administered to them the blessed sacrament 
of the Lord's supper. [I have administered the sacrament 
of the Lord's supper to more than eleven hundred differ- 
ent persons. I have joined about two hundred persons in 
holy matrimony ; and I have deposited about one hundred 
and thirty dead bodies of my fellow christians in the silent 
grave, looking for the general resurrection in the last day, 
and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. I am not conscious that I have, in any respect, 
departed from the doctrine or worship of the Episcopal 
church, nor from its discipline. 

My nearest neighbors and parishioners, the wardens and 
vestries, and congregations which have been under my 
particular care, have uniformly and very unanimously de- 
clared that I have always been to them a very faithful min- 
ister, and- a very exemplary man ; and that although they 
have been constantly conversant and well acquainted with 
me for days, and weeks, and months, and years, yet from 
their own persons knowledge they had not known, or had 
reason to believe that I had or would depart from the rules 
of morality and propriety. This has been the amount of 
their uniform and very unanimous testimony* I now have 
about two thousand souls in my ministerial care, ancL 
I know no one of them, who L think would not give this 
testimony if called upon. But when I bring my own con- 
science to the bar of God; when I consider the awful re- 
sponsibility of my profession ; when I compare the inward* 
disposition of my heart, and my outward words and a&?- 



BISHOP HOB ART.- 60 

lions with the purity of God and the perfect rule of hi.- 
word, I feel my own imperfection, I blush at my unwor- 
thiness, Isee the want of an atonement, and feel the want 
of forgiveness. And on a review of the unhappy opposi- 
tion which Bishop Jarvis and others have raised against 
me, conscious of my own frailty, and sensible that I, like. 
other men, have been liable to err, I now confess that I 
have often said and done that which, on reflection, I am 
sorry for ; and now declare, that whereinsoever I have 
gone astray from my duty, whereinsoever I have done any- 
wrong ta any person by word or deed, I do now truly and 
earnestly repent, I am heartily sorry for it, and am ready 
and willing to make restitution to the utmost of my power ;., 
and I humbly pray them, for God's sake, to forgive me all 
that is past. And whereinsoever any person has done me 
any wrong, by word or deed, and I have been greatly abus- 
ed, greatly misrepresented, greatly injured, and things laid 
to my charge which I never knew ; I am ready and wil- 
ling to forgive them from the bottom of my heart, and nev- 
er more to mention it: and I hereby offer my hand in char- 
ity and friendship to all with whom I bave had any contro- 
versy. I do not ask to be restored to the ministry, for I 
have never been canonically censured, suspended, silenced 
or degraded ; nor am I absolved from my ordination vows ; 
but I ask for peace and reconciliation, that the beginning 
of the Bishop's government of the church in this state 
may be like the first day of a new world, where every one 
is a friend to every one, where all is harmony, all is friend- 
ship, and all are pleased, and all are delighted with all. I 
know that where envy and strife is there is confusion and 
every evil work, and I am heartily tired with it. I reli- 
giously believe the Episcopal church to be a divine ap- 
pointment ; that it is the general assembly and church of 
the first born on earth, the medium through which we 
must become members of the church triumphant in Heav- 
en. In union and communion with this church, I wish 
and intend, by God's grace, to live and die ; and in it I 
pray God to give me the confidence of a sure and a certain 
faith, the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope ; 
and that I may be in favour with God, and in perfect char- 
ity with all -the world. In a court of law I expect im- 



HO BISHOP HOBAET. 

partial justice , in an ecclesiastical council I expect 
mercy, peace and reconciliation. You will please to lay this 
before the clergy this evening, or on the first opportunity., 
and let me know your determination in the case, at Bish- 
op's tavern, in state-street, in New-Haven ; and I am, 
Right Reverend Sir, with sentiments of due consideration, 
3 T our~inost obedient and very humble servant, 

Ammi Rogers. 

I was not informed whether the foregoing letter and that of 
of the Rev. Messrs. Tyler and Blakeslee were laid before the 
Convention by the Bishop or not ; but a motion was made by 
the Rev. Mr. Rayner of Huntington, to drop all matters in re- 
gard to me, and that I should be received as a member of that 
convention. This was advocated by most of the clergy and 
laity from the eastern part of the state — and opposed by the 
Rev. Mr. Burhans, Burrage Beach, and Asa Chapman, now 
Judge Chapman. This last had been employed as counsel 
in some, if not all the suits against me, for seven years, in 
Fairfield county. Though educated at the same college 
and at the same time, Tie had now become my personal, 
political, and religious enemy ; at this time he volunteered 
Ms services, and I was informed discovered great zeal and 
animosity against me ; and by his influence, and of other 
federals, the motion was lost by a very small majority, — - 
Could any thing be more arbitrary, tyrannical and oppres- 
sive, than to deprive a clergyman of his just rights and 
privileges, without hearing or trial, according to the canons 
of the church, in any state, in the face and eyes of the pas- 
toral letter of the House of Bishops, and the solemn decis- 
ions of our courts of law ; and to refuse all overtures of 
mercy, peace and reconciliation ? Is not this persecution ? 
But this was only the beginning of that dreadful plot, by 
which I have since suffered two years imprisonment, and 
the loss of all worldly comforts. 

In the year 1817, the Rev. Mr. Blakeslee, by the di- 
rection of Bishop Hobart, visited all my parishes, perform- 
ed divine service with them, preached to them, and gave 
them public notice that the bishop would himself, within 
a few days, visit them in person ; that he would perform di- 
vine service, preach, confirm and administer the holy com- 
munion to them, and desired them to prepare themselves 



BISHOP HOBART. 71 

accordingly. Soon after his return he wrote, and sent the 
following letter, viz, 

Fgpm the Rev. Mr. Blakeslee of New- London, to the Right 
Rev. Bishop Hobart, New- York. 

New-London, July 14th, 1817, 
Right Rev. and Dear Sir, 

Agreeable to your request, I have made a tour through 
the north eastern section of this state, and have visited 
nine parishes, preac&ed and performed service in each of 
them. Seven of them are purely the result of Mr. Ro- 
ger's labours ; the other two were but the ruins of what 
they once had been. The church in Poquatanic, where I 
commenced my mission, was collected some fifty or sixty 
years since, by the Rev. Mr. Punderson, but ruined by un- 
toward events during the Revolutionary war, and has nev- 
er been able, (though occasionally visited by the Rev. Mr. 
Tyler,) to assume an aspect of respectability. The buil- 
ding w r as almost demolished, when Mr. Rogers, about three 
years since, first visited them. From four to six families 
were the number of Episcopalians then in the parish, as sta- 
ted to me by the wardens and vestry. The church has 
since been rebuilt and finished, with a bell to it, and the 
number of families now belonging to it are from fifty to six- 
ty ; — from three to four hundred usually attend. They 
speak in high terms of the piety, zeal and talents of their 
minister, and of the perfect harmony and friendship which 
subsist among them. Here I met Mr. Tyler and Mr. Ro- 
gers, who attended me in the services of the day. 

From this place I, attended with Mr. Rogers, went to 
Jewitt City, about nine miles, where the service had never 
been attended to but by him. Here I found a handsome 
stone chapel, finished outside, where I met a numerous con- 
gregation, who joined devoutly in the service, and perform- 
ed the responses in an audible and decent manner. The 
hearts of the good people were warm, and a spontaneous 
glow of affection told us how ardently they felt the force of 
that obligation, which, by your permission had been con- 
ferred upon them. I called upon a number of genteel 
families, who received me with marked respect, and ex- 
pressed a warmth of attachment highly honourable to the 
zeal and faithfulness of Mr. Rogers. The prospect of the 



72 BISHOP HOB ART. 

growth of the church, although affected by the failure oi 
the manufacturing interest in this place, is, however, very 
flattering ; and the pleasure they felt in being thus noticed, 
led them to say the village had not seen so happy a day for 
five years. We left the village that evening and proceed- 
ed about three miles, where we were entertained with hos- 
pitality and kindness. 

Early on Tuesday morning we drove about ten miles, to 
Mr. Cleaveland's in Canterbury, where I performed ser- 
vice to an attentive and respectable audience, ardent in the 
cause of the church, and dispassionate in their inquiries. 

From thence we drove to Hampton, about six miles, and 
were received with equal civility. I performed service at 
the house of Mr. Litchfield, convenient for a private house ; 
the congregation from two to three hundred, the responses 
audible, and the attention warm and animated. 

From this we proceeded to Stafford, about twenty-five 
miles, where^I performed service in the afternoon, having 
but one service on that day. The politeness with which 
we were received by all the respectable inhabitants, togeth- 
er with their devout attendance on the service of the day 5 
declared plainly how ardent their feelings were in favour 
of the church ; their gratitude was loud, their acknowledge- 
ments were fervent. 

On Thursday morning, after discharging our obligation 
of politeness to Mr. Johnson, owner of the establishment 
at the springs in Stafford, for a particular invitation to stop 
and breakfast with him, we proceeded to Andover, about 
twenty miles, where I performed service in the meeting- 
house, (they having lately dismissed their clergyman,) to 
an audience of several hundreds, devout in their appear- 
ance, and orderly in their devotions. Expressions of ap- 
probation in favor of the Episcopal worship were almost 
universal ; a handsome repast was provided by Esquire 
House. • ' 

In the afternoon we rode about six miles to Columbia, 
where I performed service in the meeting-house to an at- 
tentive and respectful audience, they having likewise late- 
ly dismissed their minister. 

On Friday forenoon I performed service in Bolton, about 
eight miles, in a house purchased by Episcopalians, and 



SISAOP K'OBA'RT. 73 

fttted up for a place of stated worship* In this place there 
has been a wa£m opposition to the church, Few attended 
beside their own members. They appeared like a little 
band, girt with armour, supporting the cross, and bearing 
the standard of their blessed Master, They performed the 
service with a devotion and ardour that would warm the 
coldest heart, and inspire the dumbest tongue* We dineA 
at Doct. White's, 

From thence we passed to Hebron, about six miles, 
where at four o'clock I performed my last service-. Here 
-i numerous congregation collected from the scattered ruins 
4( a church founded some sixty or seventy years ago by the 
R,e\\ Mr, Peters, but miserably scattered during the revo- 
lutionary war, and but barely kept alive until Mr* .Rogers 
look charge of them about four years since ; from which it 
lias wonderfully increased in numbers, and many have join- 
ed the communion. 

On Saturday Mr. Rogers attended me to Colchester, 
where I took the stage and returned to my family and 
friends. And sir, when I retrace the circuitous route, of at 
feast one hundred and forty miles, which 1 performed, eve- 
ry stage is marked with agreeable incidents, and every toil 
is sweetened with an endearing recollection. If there is 
any pleasure in conferring an obligation, you, sir, must feel 
the expression of that gratitude, which animated every 
heart. Your goodness in authorising this mission, will long 
be remembered, as a monument of that charity which de- 
lights in doing good. 

Here my communication should have ended, but for the 
pledge which I gave and an ardent desire which I feel in 
leaving no interest unessayed, which might tend to pro- 
mote the interest and prosperity of the church, I have al- 
ready stated, that these churches have been reared into 
life by the care and industry of Mr. Sogers, and to speak 
with caution, they embrace a number of not less than two 
thousand souls ; many of them have received baptism %t 
his hands, have come to the holy communion through his 
persuasion and influence, and now wait with a hope and 
expectation of being presented by their own minister to the 
frishop, that they may receive the apostolic rite of eon- 
$.rmation. This is the only point which involves it in 

7 



?4 BISHOP ftOBART. 

aay delicacy. If Mr. Rogers is not possessed of eccle- 
siastical authority, his administrations are of course void ; 
ii he is possessed of authority and constitutionally depri- 
ved of the exercise, his administration must be equal- 
ly invalid. But if he has unjustly, that is, without a con- 
stitutional and canonical trial been forbidden the lawful 
exercise of that authority which he constitutionally and 
rightfully possessed, can the interdict in any sense effect the 
light either in the person dispensing , or in the persons receiv- 
ing the exercise of that power ? / / It may not be permitted 
for me to travel over decisions said to be bottomed on legit- 
imate principles, but I should be sorry to find on the rec- 
ords of the church history, precedents by which, if they 
should obtain the force of law, the whole right of trial wou d 
be committed^ and constitutional discipline set at defiance ! ! 
I am disposed to believe that whatever is rightly, that is, 
constitutionally' and canonically bound on earth, is bound in 
heaven ; but can any man in his senses suppose that there is 
any force in a sentence not constitutionally inflicted ! ! If 
such is the case, the whole Protestant church stands this 
moment excommunicated ! The maxim of the Apostle is, 
that they who have a written law, shall be judged by that 
law, and to guard this claim, it would appear that we were 
forbidden, by the highest ecclesiastical authority, to ac- 
knowledge, much more to sanction any assumed power, [See 
the bishop's Pastoral Letter of 1808, page 63. 

For my part I ho,ve no hesitation in acknwoledging both 
the authority of Mr. Rogers and /lis right constitutional- 
ly to exercise it. I consider every step, excepting that of 
deciding, to what authority is Mr. Rogers exclusively 
amenable ? so informal and so extra-judicial that no decis- 
ion, of course, no consequence affecting the character or au- 
thority of Mr. Rogers can grow out of it. And ,it has ap- 
peared to me that the only true ground of proceeding in 
this case is to commence it de ?iovo, [anew] or to pass it by 
as a clerical blunder, and learn from this example, not to 
implicate the peace of the church through personal misun- 
derstandings. 

1 should be pleased to accompany the bishop in his vis- 
itation of the church in Hebron, Jewitt city, and Poquata- 



^BISHOP HOBART. 7g 

nie, (three only of the nine parishes which I visited have 
churches,) should the bishop be satisfied that it would be 
consistent with his duty to acknowledge Mr. Rogers' ad- 
ministrations, and to receive from him, as the curate, the 
subjects of confirmation, and to communicate with him in 
the offices of the church ; otherwise I do not consider it 
prudent to hold myself responsible for any consequence^ 
that may grow out of your sincere wishes to serve them. 
This much, I can assure you, that no mention will be 
made of the unpleasant subject by them, but every atten- 
tion and every mark of respect will be most cordially be- 
stowed, should you feel justified in pursuing the course I 
have suggested. Having pledged myself not to lead you 
into any unpleasant dilemma, I feel it my duty not to with- 
hold any information by which you might be enabled to 
judge correctly of the feelings of a great proportion of soci- 
ety, and might be enabled to form an opinion and make 
your decision accordingly. No people, I am sure, will 
more cordially welcome the bishop, or treat him w T ith great- 
er respect, under the forementioned conditions, than those 
under the care of Mr. Rogers. They hold out the branch 
of peace, on constitutional principles, and they feel that 
there can be no security left to the church, but by adher- 
ing strictly to its principles. And sir, I venture to say, that 
at least one half of the clergy of this state are of the same 
opinion. With the most profound assurances of my cordi- 
al respects and dutiful submission to every constitutional 
and canonical direction, I am, Right Reverend Sir, your's ? 
affectionately, Solomon Blake slee* 

CHAPTER. VIII. 

BISHOP HOBART. 

Within a few days after the receipt of the foregoing let- 
ter, Bishop Hobart published, or caused to be published, in 
all the newspapers printed in Connecticut, that he i would 
rait the different Episcopal churches in that state, on sueli 



1Q BISHOP HOB ART. 

particular clays as he therein designated, and among ot'nm 
that' he would visit St.. Peters church in Hebron, on thp 
20th day of August, 1817, and St. George's Church in 
Jewitt City, on such a day in that month, and St. James" 
church in Poquatanic, on another day in that month. Ex- 
pectation was all alive. No suspicion was entertained that 
all was not right, or that a plan was formed for my min- 
or (heir destruction. Great preparations were made for 
their ow n spiritual improvement in the public worship of 
God, and instruction from his word ; in confirmation, or the 
laying on of hands, in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper,, 
and God's blessing, all by the bishop. Great curiosity wa? 
awakened, for not one out of an hundred of the people ni 
my care, had ever seen a bishop in their lives.. Great 
preparations were' made to honor him and to make him 
welcome, 1 had taken unusual trouble in preaching lec- 
tures on the subject of confirmation, and in going from 
house to house in all my parishes, to. endeavour to > explain: 
it to them, and to solemnize their minds for the proper and 
worthy reception of that interesting rite. On the night 
before the 2Gth of August, Mr. Ezekiel Brown, one of tfee 
wardens of the church, in Hebron, came to me after dark*. 
The heart of the good man was ready to burst, the tear*- 
streamed from his eyes, and he was unable to speak ; at 
length, with a broken and a faultering voice, he said, I 
have bad news ; the Bishop is a going to disappoint us ; 
he -says that he cannot visit our church because you are 
here ; if you were not here he would come. 

This was the first intimation that the plan was to drv-; :■■ 
me off, or to ruin me, or to divide and scatter the churches 
and congregations, which I had gathered. There was no 
time for reflection or consultation. If the bishop did nol 
intend to visit my parishes, why did he impose upo; 
Rev. Mr. Blakeslee, by directing him to preach io fch 
and to give them false notice ? Why d-d he pledge him- 
self in ail the newspapers to me, to my people, and to the 
whole world ! He had received Mr. Blakeslee's letter, and 
knew upon what terms he would be received. He was ex- 
pected in Hebron at four o'clock the next afternoon, and it 
was thought advisable lor me to go with the wardens and 
Dr. Peters, the next morning, to the next town, wher 



BISHOP HOBART. 77 

bishop was, and if possible make some arrangements with 
him. This was done, and he alleged that a compliance 
with the terms of Mr. Blakeslee's letter, would be an in- 
terference on his part with the proceedings of Bishop Jar- 
vis, and would be calling upon himself the resentment of 
his friends ; and that he did not wish to have any thing to 
do with it one way or the other ; at length he agreed that 
he would perform his engagements, and not disappoint the 
people if the wardens would give in writing under their 
hands, that they would not consider him as recognizing me 
as minister on that day. He said expressly, that he 
did not wish to approve or disapprove of me, as a minister, 
but that his wish and intention was to leave me to-morrow 
as I was yesterday ; he did not see me, lest it should by 
Bishop Jarvis' friends be construed into an arrangement 
between him and me. Rather than to have the people 
disappointed, they consented to his proposal. He wrote a 
certificate to the amount of what he proposed, and the war- 
dens signed it. I wish to have it distinctly understood that 
he did not see me, nor make any arrangements with me, 
or what I should say, or do, or where I should be. In re- 
gard to this, the wardens were not authorised, neither did 
they make any arrangement or agreement ; but only for 
themselves and the church, that they would not consider 
him as recognizing me as a minister on that day. This 
was the amount of their certificate, and he expressly said 
again and again, that he did not wish to approve or disap- 
prove of me, as minister, but to leave me to-morrow as I 
was yesterday ; that is, as discharging all the duties of a 
regular priest in the Episcopal church. With this certifi- 
cate, he came' to Hebron, in company with the Hon. John 
3. Peters, and others. With: them he came to the door of 
St. Peter's church in Hebrony on the 20th day of August, 
1817. From 1500 to 2000 people were, by computation, 
assembled for public worship, ibr religious instruction, and 
for divine ordinances. About 150 persons were present, 
who were prepared and expected to be confirmed : which 
is the apostolic rite of laying on of hands after baptism. — 
Great numbers were prepared to receive from the hands of 
the bishop, at that time, the sacrament of the Lord's sup- 
per. When he came to the door of the church, while he 

1* 



78 BISHOP HOB ART.. 

was fastening his .horse and- carriage, I- went out' and wel~ 
1 him to the church in Hebron; he made no reply,, 
but said to one of the wardens, who was present, Mr. Ro- 
gers must withdraw ; he replied, and not attend church ? 
the bishop said yes ; and instantly mounted his carriage, 
apparently in anger, and rode off. without consulting the 
oifer warden or the vestry, without any apology, without 
into the church, and without even speaking to the 
: le. The insult, the astonishment, the disappointment, . 
are indescribable. It was with difficulty that many were 
ained from- offering him. personal violence. The 
•vterians were pleased, and some of them 
actually t I and exulted- at what was done. The 

uortified,. disappointed, and ashamed. 
Tlie bishop, instead of going tothe house ot the Hon. John-? 
S. P : ere he wasexpeeted to spend the night, went 

to a rian tavern, had a luncheon, satisfied some 

they were easily satisfied) that 
ode off. The other churches, 
iv care he wl egiected and disappointed. 

m. . than four [ o people in the counties ofTol- 

. Windham and New-London, m Connecticut, were in 
h of Augv f, neglected, insulted and abused, 

Th Is was matter of great joy to the ene- 
to the friends of Bishop Jar- 
vis in the Episcopal church. At this time, some of my 
aiishioners from Jewitt City, and Poquatanic ? 
to 'whom I Had administered Tjaptism, and the Lord's sup- 
per, attended Bishop Hobart's visitation in Norwich, and 
were confirmed by him, and received the sacrament. At 
this time Colonel Jeremiah Halsey, who had been brought 
separate cor >nal presbyterian, who had for 

time attended my ministry, with his family, but with- 
examination, recommendation, or particular profession, 
now bolted himself in, among others, and was confirmed, 
and received the sacrament. After service he had a private • 
conversation with Bishop Kobart, at the house of Col. Ty- 
ler, and from that time, ar:d never before, he became my 
enemy. The pjan of causing me 'to submit to an indignity 
in my own parish, and in the presence of my own people, 
and others, or to drive me off and scatter my congregations,, 



EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE,- 7^ 

hy inducing them to believe the decisions of our courts of 
law and the pastoral letter of the House of Bishops were 
of no force ; and that I was not a clergyman of good stan- 
ding in the church, w r as well calculated to effect the pur- 
pose of tyranny and oppression, in destroying a clergy- 
man, without hearing or trial, according to any rule, canon 
or law ; and one of whom Bp. Jarvis himself had publicly 
3 nd officially declared, in behalf of the convention of the 
w r hole state of Conn, "that we have nothing against him, ,? ' 
[for they dare not come out and acknowledge that my op- 
position to an union of church and state, was their objec- 
tion,] " we acknowledge his authority and character to be 
good." And of whom the Bishop of New-York had de- 
clared " that he always considered him one of the most 
useful and active clergymen hi that state, that he never 
heard Bishop Provoost, Ms predecessor, express any senti- 
ments of disapprobation with regard to him, and that he- 
aeverliad at any time, or on any occasion, fallen under the 
censure of the ecclesiastical authority in that state ;' ? and 
of whom the Rev. Mr. Tyler of Norwich, the Rev. Mr. 
Blakeslee of New-London, and many other clergymen of 
the first respectability in Connecticut^ had spoken in terms 
of great approbation, respect and affection. The plan, 
however, though it checked the prosperity of the church in 
the eastern part of the state, gave her enemies great cause 
of triumph, gave them occasion to speak evil of me, was 
a source of unhappiness to me and to all my people. Yet 
it was not effectual; they determined still to adhere to me, 
and support me. For this purpose a meeting was called 
in Windham, termed an Episcopal Conference, at 
which many votes and resolutions were passed of great im- 
portance ;' some of which are as follows, 

CHAPTER IX. 

EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. 

At a meeting of the Committees of Conference appointed' 
fc.y and in behalf of the members of the Episcopal church/ 



EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. 

in Hebron, in Jewett City, in Poquatanic, in Canterbury- ... 
in Hampton, in Stafford, in Andover, in Bolton, and in Co- 
lumbia, duly notified and convened, in the court house in 
Windham, this 29th day of April, A. D. 1818, 

Capt. Andrew Mann, of Hebron, Moderator, 
Mr. Pascal Cady, of Canterbury, Clerk, 

Voted unanimously. That it is our earnest wish and de- 
sire, and as far as we know or believe, it is the earnest wish 
and desire of the people that we represent, to be with the 
Rev. Ammi Rogers, (with whom we are perfectly satisfied) 
in union and communion with the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in the state of Connecticut and in the United- 
States, submitting ourselves to its government, when 
administered according to the authority of God's word and 
the constitution and canons of said church, conforming 
ourselves to its doctrines and worship, as represented and 
set forth in the holy scriptures, and. in the book of common 
prayer. 

The letter from the Rev. Ammi Rogers, dated New-Ha- 
ven, Oct. 15th, 1816, (page 67) to the Right Rev. Bishop 
Hobart, was then introduced and read. 

Voted unanimously , That we fully concur in the forego- 
ing letter, and earnestly request the Rev. and Hon. Con- 
vention of Connecticut to accede to its terms; or if there 
be any thing against Mr. Rogers, to bring it forward in a 
regular manner, and grant him a canonical trial ; that we 
and the world may know what it is ; that at present he is 
our minister — that we are acquainted with him — that we 
are perfectly satisfied with him both as a minister and a 
man ; and do not believe that any thing can in truth be 
made to appear against him* 

Voted unanimously, That our courts of law in Fairfield 
county, after full hearings and fair trials, and able counsel 
on both sides, have solemnly adjudged and decided, that 
the papers issued and published by Bishop Jarvis against 
Mr. Rogers, were wholly without authority and void, and 
ought not to be regarded. 

Voted unanimously, That the House of Bishops in their 
pastoral letter of 1808, have virtually REVOKED AND; 
DECLARED VOID the aforesaid papers of Bishop Jaj>- 

TIS-- 



EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE, g| 

Voted unanimously, That we heartily approve of the pro- 
ceedings of our courts of kw and of the House of BkH- 
ops, AND ON THIS GROUND WE STAND.. 

The letters of the Rev, Messrs. Tyler and Blakeslee. 
dated October IQth, 1816, (page 65,) and July 14th, 18171 
(page 70.) were then introduced and read; whereupon 

Voted uranhrtomly, That the thanks of this meeting be 
presented to the Rev. Solomon Blakeslee, for his very ex- 
cellent sermons delivered in Poquatanie, Jewett €ity, Co- 
luinbia, Canterbury, Hampton, Stafford, Andover, Bolton* 
and Hebron, in the month of July fast; that great instruc- 
tion and benefit have resulted to the aforesaid parishes 
from the same, and from Ms friendly and agreeable visits, 
t at that time, and that he is hereby respectfully requested' 
to repeat his visits and to preach to us again, as time and 
opportunity will permit, 

Voted imanimousty) That we heartily thank the Rev- 
Mr. Tyler and the Rev. Mf. Blakeslee, for the foregoing 
very excellent, sensible and correct letters, to the Right 
Rev. Bishop Hob art ; that the statements and sentiments 
therein contained, are, in our apprehension, correct and 
true,, and that we heartily and fully concur in them. (See 
page 6'6 and 71.) 

Votedy That the Moderator and Clerk of this meeting 
be a committee to publish our doings at this time, to cause- 
them to be laid before the next reverend and Honorable 
convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and' 
to request an answer to the questions therein proposed, vi&. 
1st, To be received into union and communion as is there 
requested. 2d, To take the case of Mr. Rogers into con- 
sideration nd to accede to the terms of peace and recon- 
ciliation, as proposed in his letter, and to let ike matter drop 
where it is-; or to grant him a trial as is there requested. Or 
3d, To acquiesce in thedfecision and sentiments of the 
Hfause of Bishops, as, is herein before requested, Sign- 
ed by us, 

Andrew Ma?Qn, Zachariah Cone, Committee from St 

} s church in Hebron.: — Enoch Baker, Peleg Fry r 

Committee of St. George's church in Jewitt City. — James 

Cook, Peleg Rose, Committee from St. James' church in 

•.—Jesse Par.kes, Pascal Cady, Committee from 



82 EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. 

Canterbury. — Uriah Litchfield, Rufus Fuller, Committer 
from Hampton. — Benning Mann, Richard Stroud, Commit- 
tee from Stafford. — Elijah House, John Townsend, Com- 
mittee from Andover. — Seth Collins, Ambrose Collins, 
Committee from Columbia. — John Talcott, Aaron Farmer, 
Committee from Bolton. Certified by us, 

Andrew Mann, Moderator of the mid Meeting. 
Pascal Cady, Clerk. 
To the Rev. Secretary of the Convention of the Episcopal 

Church in Connecticut in 1818* 
Sir, 

We hereby request you to lay the inclosed doings of the 
meeting of the Committees of the members of the Episco- 
pal church in several towns and parishes in the eat ten: 
part of Connecticut, called an Episcopal Conference, be-* 
fore the next Convention, to be holden in Bridgeport on 
the first Wednesday of June 1818, and to request in our 
behalf their decisions and answers to the request therein 
proposed. 

Andrew Mann, Moderator of said meeting. 
Pascal Cady, Clerk. 

To this Convention, I addressed a letter, stating that I 
was solemnly consecrated to the ministry of the Gospel, for 
life j that I could truly say with St. Paul, I Cor. ix. 16, 
" Necessity is laid upon nie } yea, woe is unto me if I preach 
not the Gospel." 1 then united in the preceding requests; 
and further proposed, that if they w T ould not accede to 
them, that they then would appoint a committee of all the 
clergy of the Episcopal church in the eastern part of the 
state, with full power to investigate and settle all matters 
respecting me, of every name and nature, ever since I had 
been ordained, that I would pay all the expense, and that I 
would give a bond, with good and sufficient security of 
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, to be well and truly 
paid to the said convention, if I did not abide by their de- 
cision. 

To confess that they had persecuted me for seventeen 
years, without hearing or trial, merely because I was a re- 
publican, and fully believed in the equal rights of all man- 
kind, that there was no civil authority in this country which. 
was not derived from the people, and which ought not, at 



EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. 83 

short periods, to revert back to them ; and because I was 
a Protestant Episcopalian, and did not believe there was 
any ecclesiastical authority which was not derived from 
God, and must be regulated according to his word and the 
canons of the church, otherwise it was not his authority, 
and was of no force ; that the civil and ecclesiastical au- 
thorities were separate and distinct in their own natures, 
and ought not to be united ; that the religion established 
by the civil law in Connecticut, was an infringement upon 
the equal rights and privileges of all the citizens, and was 
in itself wrong, To confess all this, and that they had rob- 
bed me of my testimony.- — (See Mr. Leed's lettes,page 55.) 
That they had altered and forged the journal of the House 
of Bishops in 1808, (see page 64,) that they had ruined 
rue as a clergyman, without the previous steps required by 
the authority of God's word, and the constitution and can- 
ons of the church, contrary to the direction of the House of 
Bishops, and to every principle of justice and morality — 
(See the decision of our courts of law, page 50, and the 
bishop's pastoral letter page 82 ;) and they had given of- 
ficial information to the church in Glastenbury which 
was palpably false, (see a letter to the Rev. Tillotson 
Bronson, page 56.) To confess all this they were abso- 
lutely ashamed ! and I now appeal to the reader, and the 
whole world, if they could deny these facts with truth. — 
They had injured me too much ever to forgive me ; and not to 
comply with these most just and most reasonable re- 
quests, would be unchristian-like and disgraceful. My 
faithfulness as a minister, and my strict morality as a man, 
were fully attested in every place where I had resided, and 
by every parish of which I had the charge, and acknowl- 
edged by "the bishop himself. I now gave a challenge to 
investigate all matters relative to me, and offered a 
bond of $1000, with good SECURITY, to abide by it. 
The secretary announced to the convention, in Bridgeport, 
June 1818, that he had such communications. Neither 
the requests nor the proposal was granted or rejected ; but 
miother plan was in operation which icas designed to justify 
Bishop Hobart and themselves , and would effectually rid them 
of all further trouble on the subject. This plan, it is not 



U4 episcopal conference:. 

claimed, was formed or known by the convention, or h? 
all the clergy, but one of them declared to Doct. Samuel 
Simons of Hebron, that he knew something which teas 
private, and which he was not at liberty to disclose, but 
which would certainly drive me cut of Hebron in less than 
-one year. How could he know this, if it had not been 
agreed upon ? Would Bishop Hobart ? would the clergy of 
Connecticut ? would any people in the world, if they sin- 
cerely loved Ged, and their fellow men for his sake, have 
treated any human being as I have been used ? Would 
they reject all overtures of peace and reconciliation ? — 
(see my letter, page 67)— would our blessed saviour and 
his apostles have refused and neglected more than four 
thousand precious and immortal souls? Would they have 
conducted as Bishop Hobart did in Hebron, (see page 77,) 
and a still more dreadful plan was now projected. 

My mind for some years has been, at times, greatly dis- 
tressed, from an apprehension that the inward disposition 
■of my heart was not right before God. I could not but feel 
I was injured and persecuted, and a resentment would 
sometimes arise, It was and has been for more than twen- 
ty years my custom, on each night, before I slept, to call 
myself to an account before God, and to note down the 
particular transactions of each day ; and it is a fact that I 
have not eat a meal, nor staid a night in any house, nor 
performed any ministerial duty for more than twenty years, 
which, by turning to my journal, I cannot tell when and 
where it was, 

"O Almighty and Everlasting God, the protector of all 
that put their trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, 
nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon me thy mercy ; 
that thou being my ruler and my guide, I may so pass 
through things temporal, that finally I may not lose the 
things eternal ; ingraft and continue in my heart the love 
of thy name, increase in me true religion, nourish me with 
a!) goodness, and of thy great mercy keep me in the same 
ihrough Jesus Christ our Lord — Amen." 

" Our Father who art in Heaven, &c. 



PERSECUTION 85 

CHAPTER SEl 

:;T?£ BEGINNING OF THAT PERSECUTION BY WHICH 
I WAS IMPRISONED AND RUINED AFTER A$- 

NY YEARS UNAVAILING ATTEMPTS, 

In the year 1818 Bishop Hobart was Invited to take 
Episcopal charge of the church in Connecticut— I ad- 
^dressed a letter to him, [See page €7,] begging for peace 
ixnd reconciliation. In 1-817 by his direction, the Rev. 
Mr- Blakesiee visited my parishes, [see his letter, page 
71 ;] on the 2Gth-Gf August in that year Bishop Hobart 
came to the door of the church in Hebron, and because 1 
would not submit to an indignity in my own/ parish, turn- 
ed his back upon more than 1500 people, assembled for 
public worship, and disappointed more than 4000 in the 
neighboring towns and counties.— [See page 77.] In 
1818 an Episcopal Conference, in the north-east part of 
Connecticut, was held in Windham, at which they voted 
unanimously, that they were perfectly satisfied with me* — 
[See page 79.] In 1818 I proposed that the convention of 
the Episcopal church in Connecticut should accede to the 
request of the churches convened in Windham; or appoint 
a committee of all the Episcopal clergymen the eastern 
part of Connecticut where I lived, with full power to call 
the wardens and vestries and congregations together, of all 
the parishes where I had ever resided or preached and to 
decide upon all matters relating to me ; that I would go 
with them myself, that I would pay all the expenses, and 
then offered a bond of $1000, with good and sufficient seen- 
rity y to be well and truly paid to said convention, if I did 
not abide by their decision. But no ! a plan was known to 
xome of them which was a secret, and which they were not 
at liberty to disclose, and which was kept from me as the 
hour of death ; but it would certainly answer all their pur- 
poses, and drive me out of Hebron in less than one year. 
What this plan could be, no one could devise. Imagina- 
tion was all alive — seme thing was in contemplation — what 
xould it be ? One of Bishop Hob art's clergymen from the 
state of New- York came into my neighborhood, but did 
siot call upon me* He visited Dr. Avery Downer, in 

8 



g(> PERSECUTION. 

Preston, who was of no religious persuasion, and who had 
quarrelled with almost all the clergy in that neighborhood , 
of eveiy denomination, and who then, and never before 
then, became my enemy ; falsely representing me as un- 
worthy and degraded, and that 1 should not preach there. 
It was then reported, that Asenath C. Smith, a single 
woman, to whom Dr. George Downer, son of saiJ Avery 
Bovmer, had been paying particular attention for about two 
or three years then last past, had, the year before, been 
like to have child by him, and had lost it ; and fa^their 
plan was now found to be to induce her to swear it falsely 
vpon me. After Bishop Jarvis had forbid me to preach in 
Connecticut without hearing or trial, though he declared 
he had nothing against me ; that my character and author- 
ity were good — [See page 40] — after I had appealed to 
the House of Bishops in 1804, and they had referred the 
case to the church in Connecticut for trial, [See page 54] — 
after Bishop Jarvis had refused that trial, and issued anoth- 
er paper without granting a trial — after^a meeting was call- 
ed in Stamford and the church in that place had protes- 
ted against the proceedings of Bishop Jarvis, and voted to 
pay me at the rate of $558 a year during my natural life, any 
order, determination or decree of the Bishop and Clergy to 
tke contrary notwithstanding — after I had been sued nine 
times for the same supposed trespasses, in going into my 
own church and performing ministerial duties,, and they 
never had recovered from me so much as one cent, nor pro- 
ved any thing against my conduct or character, though 
they had ransacked the most private passages of my whole 
life, and that with the mos!; malicious intentions, for almost 
eight years — after I had sued their party for harrassing and 
distressing me with vexatious and unreasonable law-suits, 
and had recovered a verdict of $600 against them, before 
the Superior Court in Fairfield — after I had appealed to 
the General Convention in Baltimore, [see pages 62 am! 
63*] and the House of Bishops had revoked and declared 
void and of no force, all the proceedings of said Jarvis in 
this case — after I had made the most conciliatory overtures 
of peace and reconciliation to Bishop Hobart, who sent the 
Rev. Mr. Blakesley to visit my parishes, and had receiv- 
ed the most favorable report ; and then disappointed audi 



PERSECUTION* 87 

biased more than 4000 precious and immortal souls in the 
northeastern part of Connecticut — after I had been perse- 
cuted, insulted and abused for almost twenty years by Bish- 
op Jarvis and his party in Connecticut ; who could get 
nothing against me, my character and authority were good* 
my people were perfectly satisfied with me and had used a!! 
lawful and prudent means to promote unity, peace and 
prosperity in the Episcopal church, and I had offered a 
bond of $1000 , w T ith good and sufficient security, to be 
well and truly paid to them, if I did not submit to their 
Jecision — yet all this would avail them nothing so long as 
they could see Mordicaie the Jew sitting at the King^s gate ! 
Nothing but perjury ! the most dreadful ! the most heaven- 
daring perjury and subornation of perjury ! could effect a 
purpose so unspeakably wicked, and which for almost 
twenty years they had in vain been striving to accomplish^ 
Col. Jeremiah Halsey, Doct. Avery Downer of Pres- 
ton, and James Lanman Esq. of Norwich, who had been 
one of the most violent federal congregational presbyterians 
in Connecticut, and was my personal, political,and religious 
enemy, and of whom the Rev. Doct. Tyler declared tome, 
that he never had known any man in Norwich, who had 
discovered such an unfriendly persecuting spirit against 
the Episcopal church as he had were the persons engaged 
in this dreadful project. 

This really is one of the most abominable conspiracies that 
ever was formed against any man in any country. Who 
formed this plan I do not know, but the testimony of their 
own witnesses will prove who executed it And it cer- 
tainly is promoting truth and justice ; and it is suppressing 
perjury, wickedness and vice, to expose it to public anim- 
adversion and contempt. My religion, my principles^ and 
inclination forbid me to speak evil of any one, any further 
forth than a sacred regard to truth and justice compel me. 
How muchsoever I may have done and suffered for the Ep 6 
church, and how much soever I believe the authority ,admire 
the doctrine, and love the worship of God in that church, 
and how T i eiuctantsoever I may feel in exposing the real 
faults of my brethren, who are of the clergy in this case* 
yet to be s ilent would be upholding perjury, subornation. 
of perjury, and the highest injustice to myself, to my chik 






({(i PERSECUTE 

dren and friends, and to the church of Christ. So sao) 
this PLAN was known,the church in Jewitt City* appoint- 
ed Messrs. Enoch Baker and Peleg Fry ; and the church 
:hi Poquatanic appointed James Cook Esq. and Mr. P 
Rose, a committee to inquire into the truth of this report,. 
They went in person to the house at different times, where 
the crimes were said to have, heen committed, and mad.-. 
chrligent and full inquiry and examination, of the said Ase- 
ricuh, of her mother and sister, and grand-father, witii 
whom they lived ; and of Perry Clark and his wife and 
family who lived in the same house with them, and als** 
of the neighbors, and they found the whole story, as it re- 
lated to me, to be a palpable falsehood, and they ; 
reported, and also obtained the following certificate, viz, 

Giis wold, January 5th, 181S, 
4i We the subscribers, hereby certify, that the Rev. 
i " Ammi Rogers has occasionally visited our family for tw<*- 
a or three years past, when we have had sickness and dea< i 
i{ in the house and at other times ; that we have always 
u considered him a worthy gentleman, and exemplary man. 
u and a faithful and good clergyman, and not justly Jiabh 
to reproach for any impropriety of conduct. (Signed) 
"Asenath C, Smith, Anna Smith, Maria A. Smith, FJi- 
, ;sha Geer" — the young woman,. her mother, sister, and grand- 
father. 

u We the subscribers, hereby unite in the foregoipg 
" tificate, and declare that we do not know any impropri-- 
u ety of conduct m Mr. Rogers. (Signed) 

" Perry Clark, Sophia Clark, Lester Clark;" — L) 
Aunt, and Cousin of the said Asenalh, and lived in tlie 
house. 

The aforesaid committee presente< 
foregoing certificate, and reported, "That 

•rson to the house where the said Asenatli r< 

f and faithful inquiry of her, and of all 
family, and of their neighbours, and ti: I find 

Ling to my disa3vant&ge ; bi ) was 

without^any foundation in- truth and ought not to be r< 
ded 

tFI-CATE ;- 

the churches 5 and tli 



PERSECUTION. 



89 



©nsly that they were satisfied with me, and that my con- 
duct had been perfectly unexceptionable. 

Downer, Halsey and Lanman, being thus foiled in their 
plan, resolved upon one expedient more, and that w r as to 
frighten and compel her to swear her supposed child, (for 
she never had one,) not upon Doct. George Downer, but 
upon me \ and for this Halsey entered a complaint against 
her, before a federal presbyterian justice, of their party ; 
and induced Doct E\ B. Downing, of the same class, to 
swear that he had some time the year before delivered her 
of a dead child,— Halsey and Downer then threatened her r 
it she did not swear it, not upon George, but upon me, she 
would be whipped at the public post — that she should be 
stripped stark naked, and sit upon the gallows with a rope 
about her neck, &c. — The poor girl was frightened almost 
to death, and privately left the town and county. During 
all this time I was in Hebron, a distance of about 30 
miles, had heard nothing of it, and knew nothing of it ; but 
on my return to Preston, I was informed by James Cook 
Esq. what had been done. I then called upon her moth- 
er who informed me where she was ; I w^ent there and she 
then confessed to me the whole story, viz. — - u That she 
had for two or three years then last past, kept private com- 
pany with Dr. George Downer, that he had promised, and 
she expected to marry him — that on the first day of July, 

1817, she became like tc* have a child by him, that he 
went away to Ohio and left her, that she had been sick 
and infirm and had lost it ; and that Col. Halsey and old 
Dr. Downer had tried every method in their power to in- 
duce her to swear it falsely upon me, that she was determin- 
ed not to do it, and for that reason had left the county. 5r 
She then gave her deposition to that amount, dated in 
Hampton, May 28, 1818, and went to her uncles in Mass. 
She then wrote to James Cook, Esq. dated August 6th, 

1818, u That she never had known any thing in my con- 
duct unbecoming the gentleman, the christian or the cler- 
gyman, and that I was no way justly liable to reproach in 
any of those matters which some people had lain to my 
charge respecting her, — and, says she, " I think it no more 
fchan fair to clear him of every thing of every name and 
mature which can involve him on my account. 

8* Asenath C, Smith," 



PERSECUTION 

In the month of March or April 1819, Aseneth C. Smitr 

returned to Griswold — her mother for many months had 

b sen sick with a hectic fever, which is a family complaint, 

I soon after died. Dr. Avery Downer was their family 

physician, was very unfriendly to me, and by misrepre- 

. ations had made them believe that I was their enemy, 

would do them all the hurt I could. Maria was in 

arms and* was willing to go all lengths — he had made them 

believe, that lialsey and Lanman and he, did not want to 

hart them, but to drive me out of the state and out of the 

ministry, and then was the time for them to make their 

v nes. — Mr. Lanman would get from me every cent of 

:rty that I was worth in the world, and they should 

have it, and ii never should cost them any thing, nor hurt 

them : and that it would be the most for their honor of any 

thing they could do, for the Bishop and all his friends, and 

all the presbyterians and baptists would immediately take 

: r part and become their friends, and they would be 

• respected and have more friends than they ever had 

in the world, or than any other girls in town. Soon after 

this, Col. Halsey and Dr. Downer came there and staid all 

night for the purpose of getting the said Asenath to swear 

hex supposed child upon me, which she had before justly 

and truly charged upon the son of the said Downer. They 

her into a private bed room alone, and talked to her ? 

friends, and urged and coaxed and- flattered, 

imd staid all nighi, and promised her riches, honor, preleo 

o secrecy and safety, if she would swear to what they 

would tell her. At length she consented, and in the morn- 

lictatedthe story which they had agreed 

\ ) — Dr. Downer wrote it and she made oath todt. Soo:* 

withi j a few days, Mr. Lanman came there, 

«7eSj at about 2 o'clock P. M. took the said 

V- nath into their east chamber alone, and remained there 

i« ; ; about niueor ten o'clock at night. She says, that he 

: i ms around hrr, and hugged her, and kissed her, 

v. . .; | rornised her the same as Halsey and Downer 

that he said if I prosecuted her for per - 

jiu I jome through bis hands as state's attorney, 

soldi he i ould pledge his honor and the honor of the whole 

Id stop it. She says that she told him, 



PERSECUTION 1 . 91 

ih&t she could not in conscience testify as she had done be- 
fore Halsey and Downer, for it was not true— then fee 
told her she could and it never should hurt her ; that she 
need not and should not be called upon to testify publicly 
but only before a Justice and a few friends, and that it 
would be the best and most honorable thing that she had 
ever done in her life— the most for her honor and interest 
and for that of her family. 

Col. Halsey was an old experienced lawyer and knew 
what would do and how to contrive. A man in North 
Stonington told me that a girl was a going to swear a child 
upon him, and that he gave Col. Halsey $70 to induce 
her to swear it upon another man, which she did, I could 
mention a number of cases of this kind — and Mr.; Land- 
man's inducing a girl to swear a child upon Mr. Hill, in 
Norwich, is said to be of the same nature. Br. Downer 
was a learned, sensible man, though of no religion- or prin- 
ciple^- die was a noted physician, and much looked, up to. 
Bishop Hobart had neglected me and my parishes, (see 
page 77,)— a hue and cry was raised— the congregational 
federalists considered me their political and religious ene- 
my—I had built up an Episcopal Church among them 
where the service had never been performed before — their 
cause was falling, jealousy and animosity were on the 
alert — Halsey had pledged his life and his honor to Ase- 
nath and Maria, and it was done before witnesses, that it 
never should hurt them or cost them any thing— Mr. Lan« 
man was a great beau, a senator of the United States, a 
Connecticut State's Attorney, he had been there, eight 
miles on purpose to see them, had been shut up alone with 
Asenath from two o ? clock in the afternoon till nine or ten 
o'clock at night, he had put his arms around -her, and hug- 
ged her and kissed her, (he was a widow(rJ&n& promised 
her riches, honor, friendship, protection and even secrecy 
if she would swear these things upon. me — she says she 
told him that they were not true and she could not in con- 
science swear to them ; then he told her she could and it nev- 
er should hurt her. Mr .* Perry Clark, her uncle, was called 
in to hear the promises if she would swear against me, 
mid all this is solemnly sworn to by their own witnesses ; 
Now let any young* woman, like Asenath C. Smithy he* 



$>£ PERSECUTION.- 

courted for two or three years by a respectable youiig phy- 
sician — let her meet with a misfortune and have it known 
and sworn to — let such men as Col. Halsey, noted for his 
intrigues among women — let such a man as Dr. Downer, 
who was then of respectable standing in society, of great 
art, intrigue and affability — let such a man as James Lan- 
man, a Senator of the United States, a noted lawyer, a 
State's Att'y. a federal presbyterian church member, and a 
very handsome young widower, very dressy and very gay — 
let three such men try their skill upon such a poor father- 
less girl as Asenath C. Smith — let them engage her un- 
principled sister Maria to assist them, and who can tell 
what they might not induce her to say or do ? — What 
might they not induce her to testify ? During all this time 
I was in Hebron, a distance of 30 miles — had not heard 
that she had returned — was wholly ignorant of what was 
going on — and had no more thought that they would bring 
a charge against me for committing a crime with her than 
with any other person in the world. — The whole phut was 
kept from me a profound secret, until I came to Poquatanie 
on my regular business, when I was informed that some 
plan was in motion relative tome and Asenath C. Smith, 
and Mr. Lanman was engaged in the business. I soon call- 
ed on him and found him hostile to a degree, that the whole 
plan was matured, cut, dried, prepared, and I was arres- 
ted. — In vain did I exposto'iaie — in vain did I refer him to 
the investigation of the churches in that neighborhood — to 
the report of the committees, to the documents in my pos- 
session — in vain did I urge him to delay the time until I 
could furnish him with satisfactory evidence of my inno- 
cence— no ! the deadly blow r was aimed — the whole plan 
was contrived and matured — little did I think or know that 
Halsey and Downer had been to see x\senath and staid all 
night, and that Lanman had been shut alone with her from 
two o'clock P. M. till ten o'clock at night — that Halsey 
had contrived and dictated the story which they wished 
her to testify — that Downer had written it and that Lan- 
man and they had coaxed and flattered and hired her to 
swear to it. But Lanman now told me plainly that I had 
done more injury to the presbyterian establishment of Con- 
necticut than any man he ever knew, and that he was determined 



PERSECUTION, 93' 

to~drive me out of the ministry and out of the state. It was 
not because 1 had committed any crime with Asenatli C~ 
Smith or with any body else, but because I had opposed 1 
the federal presbyterian party in Connecticut. [See page 
37 and 38.] 

I acknowledged service, procured bail, agreed upon h 
day for a Court of Inquiry. The information was brought 
before Farwel Coic Esq. own cousin of Lanman, and was, 
never known to decide a case against him or his wishes. — 
He was a warm federal presbyterian and particularly un- 
friendly to me for having established an Episcopal chureir 
in Jewitt City, among Iris connections,. The 29 tb day of 
April, 1819, was the day agreed upon for their inquiry-. 
and the place was Joseph R. Willoughby's tavern, in Nor- 
wich Landing — and I had about 10 days to prepare. 
Here is the most dreadful plot, plan, stratagem and con- 
spiracy, that ever was formed against any man in any coun- 
try. — After depriving rue of my just rights and privileges- 
without hearing or trial, after harrassing and distressing 
me in law for almost 20 years without even a probable 
cause of action — -after having caused me to travel over a 
great part of the- United States, at great pains and expense, 
in my own defence — after having been refused every over- 
ture of peace and reconciliation— after Bishop Hobarthad,. 
^n i:":y account, insulted and abused more than '4000 peo- 
ple in (lie eastern part of Connecticut, a conspiracy was 
formed, a secret plan ivas devised^ and I was to be driven 
out of Hebron in less than one year. Ministers of thegoV 
pel and officers of public justice were in array against me— 
-hell I like St. Peter, draw the sword? Shall I like the 
r of Wakefield, take my bible in one hand, my gun in 
the other and demand justice or death? Shall I like St. 
Stephen, pray tor my persecutors and murderers; or shalL 
[, like my blessed Saviour, open not my mouth to them ? 
# O, Almighty and most merciful God, be pleased, I be- 
seech thee, to direct and assist me in ail my doings, and ; 
in all my sufferings, with thy most gracious favor ; give me 
all such things as are necessary and profitable to me : &e~ 
i^nd ::: ; from all such things as are hurtful either to my 
, or to my soul ; and finally, by thy mercy, receive- 
ing life through Jesus Christ my Lord^ 



$i COURT OF iNQUIKY. 

who hath mercifully taught and expressly commanded m^ 
and all other?, that when we did pray we should say, Oust 
Father, who art in Heaven, &c. 

CHAPTER XI... 

COURT bt INQUIRY IJf NORWICH, CdjmECTICUT r 
APRIL 2<3l!i, 1819. 

Present — Farwel Coit, a Justice of the Peace for New 
Louden County. 

James Lanman Esq. State's Attorney for said county, and 1 

Col. Haisey, associated: with him. 

L Ammi Rogers , was called and answered. 

31r. Lanman then read his complaint against me, which? 
was couched in language so very obscene and offensive 
that I am absolutely ashamed to repeat it, but was well 
calculated to sour and prejudice the minds of the public 
against me before I was heard — nay, in the minds of the 
federal presbyterian establishment in Connecticut, I ought 
to be condemned right or wrong. The crimes charged 
upon me were^ 

1st. That I had in the town of GriswokT, county of New 
London, and sta^.e of Connecticut, on tut: first day &p 
july 1817, committed a crime with Asenaih Caroline Smith, 
a single unmarried woman, of that town, by which she did 
jhf-.n and there become like to have a child by, me. And: 
2d, That she had, by the use of means used 'with her by 
me, lost that euid child. 

To these charges I pleaded not guilty either in whole or. 
in any part. 

Calvin God Jar d Esq. one of the noted Hartford Con- 
vention men, a strong federal congregational presbyteriany 
and who was strongly opposed to me in politicks and reli- 
gion; but who, I charitably hoped, would not betray the 
cause of his client — and Jacob B. Gurley Esq. of New- 
London, were my counsel. They informed me that any 
Attempt to interact any complaint of that kind brought 
by James Lanman before his cousin Farwel Coit Esq., 



COURT OF INQUIRE 95 

•would be absolutely unavailing ; but that it might be well 
to know their testimony and prepare for a trial before the 
Superior Court. 

Witnesses an the part of the prosecution, 

Asenaih Caroline Smith, was the first witness called and 
sworn with her sister and others. She testified that the 
charges just read by Mr. Lanman against me were true, 
and then stated the circumstances. — But afterwards she 
confessed that the whole story was false— -that it w T as con- 
trived and made up by Col. Halsey, Dr. Downer, and 
James Lanman — that one of them dictated it, the other 
wrote it, and that they and James Lanman had over-per- 
suaded and hired her to swear to it, and that it was not 
true and they knew it I .J 

Maria A. Smith, the supposed sister of the said Ase- 
nath, was the next witness. She said that I had courted 
her sister and she expected I would marry her— that I came 
there on a certain night, at a late hour and advised her sis- 
ter to run away, and that on the next day Andrew Clark 
carried her away, &c. — -(She afterwards made oath before 
Denison Palmer Esq. a justice of the peace, that her whole 
testimony before Esq. Coit at this time, was contrived and 
made up by Col. Halsey, Dr. Downer, and James Lan- 
man — that it was entirely false and they knew it, but that 
they had been over-persuaded and hired to come there and 
swear to it.) 

Dr. E. B. Downing was the next witness. He testifi- 
ed that he had at some time in Griswold, delivered Ase- 
nath C. Smith of a dead child — that it was soputrified that 
he could give no account of it, and that it was immediately 
destroyed — -that he saw no mark of violence upon it, and 
that it might have been produced by sickness, infirmity or 
accident — that he did not hear my name mentioned, \n<\ 
that he did not know that I was in that part of the state at 
that time — He was of the Lanman party, a violent federal 
presbyierian, and would have been willing to have me di$~ 
troyed right or wrong. 

Samuel Wheeler ? a negro boy, testified that one morning, 
at sun about half an hour high, he was sent to Mr. Clark's 
to borrow a bag, that they sent him up stairs-— that he 



COURT OjP INQUIRY. 

locked tnrotigfc the crack of a door and saw Asenath an<j 
me in bed together. Question by Mr. Goddard. — Did 
yon go into the chamber ? Answer— No. Q. Were they 
covered up in bed? A. Yes. Q. How far was the bed 
from the door ? A. Clear across the chamber. Q. Was 
it a large chamber ? A. It was. This same negro has 
•since justly suffered two years imprisonment in Newgate 
state prison at Simsbury Mines for breaking open a store 
4ind stealing in North Stonington, Con. He was a suitable 
witness to be employed in this case by Halsey, Lanman and 
Downer; — a birds of a feather will flock together.'' Mr. 
-Clark testified that the said negro was brought up within 
about 40 rods of him, that he always considered him to be 
& most notorious liar and a thief ; that he had no knowledge 
of having sent any one into his chamber, at any' time, after 
a bag ; for that he always kept his bags, not in his chain* 
her, but in his corn house ; and that he thought no confi- 
dence ought to be placed in his testimony. 

Elisha Geer y grand father of the said Asenath, was the 
Tiext witness. He testified that he lost his wife by death^ 
that I preached a sermon at his house on the occasion — 
*Iiat afterwards he lost his only son and I preached a ser- 
mon on that occasion also — that he pastured my horse when 
I was in- Jewitt City, and I was frequently there ; but as 
for the crimes now charged upon me he never knew any 
thing about them, nor heard any thing about them till very 
lately — about two years after they were said to have been 
committed. 

Mr. Perry Clark and Ms Wife, testified that they liv* 
ed in the same house with Asenath, that they never 
knew or heard of the crime how charged upon me until 
shortly before that time — that is two years after when 
•Col. Halsey and Dr.Downer came there and staid all night. 

Welcome A. Browning and Wifoj testified that they lived 
near neighbors to the said Asenath — that they never knew 
nor heard any thing of the charges now brought against 
me until within a short time — -that the black fellow \vho 
had testified was a poor, mean, lying thievish negro, and 
that they coiilS not believe him when he was sent on a 
:ion errand, and that they placed no confidence in Ids 
story — he leir negro and lived with them. 



CfOURT OF INQUIRE. 97 

Sortie of the Brewsters and the widow' Lester, strong 
federal presbyteriaus, testified that they lived in the neigh- 
borhood of the said Asenath and Maria, that they knew 
nothing against their character as to truth and veracity, 
(but on trial I was informed that they refused to testify 
any such thing, and on that account they were not sub- 
poenied.) 

Witnesses on the part of the accused. 

James Cook Esq. was the first witness. He is a man 
who is one of the first as to character and standing in that 
part of the country ; the first select man of the town of 
Preston, often a member of the Legislature from that town, 
a justice of the peace, &c» &c. He testified that Mr. Pe- 
leg Rose and he were a committee appointed by and in 
behalf of the church in Poquatanic ta inquire into the truth 
ef the reports, which are now charges against Mr. Rogers, 
that they went to the house of Mr. Elisha Geer, where the 
young woman resided, and made diligent inquiry and full 
examination of the said Asenath, of her mother and sister 
and grandfather — that they all declared that the reports 
were wholly false and malicious* that Mr. Rogers had nev- 
er kept private company with Asenath, that they never had 
reason to think that he intended to marry her, that he never 
had conducted any way improperly there, that they knew 
nothing and could say nothing against him, and that the 
whole story was a lie ; that he then Wrote and they signed 
the following certificate, (see page 88,) that they then cal- 
led Mr. Perry Clark and wife and son into the room, and 
inquired of them, and that they also gave the same assuran- 
ces jtnd signed the same certificate — that they then called 
on Welcome A. Browning and wife, stated their business 
and made diligent inquiry of them, who declared that" they 
knew nothing and had heard nothing of the reports, that 
Mr. Rogers always appeared like a gentleman and acted 
like a gentleman, and that they could say nothing against 
hira — that they then went to Mr. Ebenezer Clark's and 
stated their business to them and made diligent inquiry and 
could find nothing against Mr. Rogers — that they then re- 
turned and reported to the Church that thay had been in 
person to the place where the ill conduct was said to have 

9 



98 COURT OP INQUIRE 

taken place, that they had diligently inquired of the person 
implicated, and of all the family, and of the neighbors, and 
that they found the charges now against Mr. Rogers to be 
WHOLLY false and that they ought not to be regarded, 
and their report was unanimously accepted by the chur- 
ches. 

Mr. Peleg Rose, the next witness is a very respectable 
man, one of the vestry of St. James' Church in Poquatan- 
ic, and a committee to go with James Cook Esq. to inquire 
into the truth of the charges now against me, testified that 
he did go with said Cook and that the facts were as he had 
stated them ; and that from said inquiry he was fully satis- 
fied that the charges against me were utterly and absolute- 
ly false and ought not to be regarded. 

Mrs. Priscilla Cook y wife of James Cook Esq. is a ven? 
respectable woman, a professor of religion, and would be an 
ornament in any christian church, testified that from her 
own personal knowledge, and other circumstances, she had 
no reason to believe, and did not believe that the testimony 
of Maria A. Smith then given in court was true, and stated 
wherein it was not true. 

Mr. Enoch Baker , is one of the vestrymen of St, 
George's church in Jewitt City, a very respectable man, 
and as much to be believed as any other man in that town, 
testified that a report was put in circulation, as near as he 
could find out, by Mr. Halsey and Dr. Downer, that Asenath 
C. Smith,who resided within about one mile of Jewitt City, 
had been like to have a child by Mr. Rogers and had lost 
it by his means, that a meeting of the wardens and vestry 
of the church in Jewitt City was called to inquire into thh 
truthrbf this report, that Mr. Peleg Fry and he were ap- 
pointed a committee for that purpose, that they went in per- 
son to the house where she resided and made full and fair 
examination and inquiry of her, of her mother and sister 
and grandfather, and of Mr. Perry Clark and his wife, and 
of the neighbors, and that they found the reports, now char- 
ges against Mr. Rogers, to be wholly false and malicious and 
ought not to be regarded^ and they so reported to the church 
and it was by them unanimously accepted. 

Question by Mr. Lamnan. Did Mr. Rogers go with you 
when you made this inquiry ? 



COURT OF INQUIRE 9D 

Answer* He did not, nor do I know or believe that he 
was at that time in this part ot the state, had ever been in- 
formed -any thing of what was going on. 

Mr. Peleg Fry, is also one of the vestry of St. George's 
church in Jewitt City, is a respectable man and as much 
to be believed as any other man, testified, that he was a 
committee with Mr. Baker, that he went with him, that his 
statement was true, and that he had no knowledge or be- 
lief that Mr. Rogers was in that part of the state, or knew 
any thing of it. 

The following documents were then read and delivered to 
the justice and Lanman as evidence in the case, by consent 
of counsel. 

1st. The deposition of the said Asenath wherin she did, 
the year before, make solemn oath, that for two or three 
Years last past, she had kept private company with Dr. Geo, 
Downer, that in hope and expectation of being married to 
him, she did on that very first day of July 1817, become 
like to have a child by him, and that she lost it by sickness, 
infirmity &c. [See page 89.] 

2d. The certificate of Elisha Geer and family,and of Perry 
Clark and family, in which, the year after she was said to 
have bten delivered of the supposed child, they cleared 
me of these charges, or of any other impropriety of con- 
duet. [See page 88.] 

3d. The letter of the said Asenath, dated August 6th y 
loiOjtuJames Cuufc, Esq. in which she says, whatever 
misfortunes mav . ba™* i » ,> f~ii— i **±/ * ni. n r — ~~*. ^^o^ 
chargeable to Mr. Rogers. [See page 89.] 

4th. The certificate containing the report of the commit- 
tee of St. George's church, in Jewitt City ; that they had 
been in person to the house of Elisha Geer, &c. the sarne^ 
as Mr. Baker and Mr. Fry now testified. 

5th. The unanimous vote of the wardens and vestry- 
men of St. George's church, accepting and approving of 
the said report. 

6th. The deposition of Capt. Thomas Miller, in which 
he testified that he heard Ebenezer Latham agree with Mr» 
Rogers to be in Jewitt City about the last of October, 1817^ 
and to bid off some of his property, which was to be sold 
at auction. 



100 COURT OF INQUIRE. 

7th. The deposition of Gurtis Hickox,Esq. in which he tes- 
tified^ that on that very first day of J<ul)v 1S17, when I wa^ 
accused of committing that crime in Griswold, I was at his 
house in Washington, one hundred miles from Oris wold, 
that he then and. there paid me $40, in money, and took 
my receipt in full, dated at his house ^o^eiimdred mile- 
from Griswold, on that very first day of July, 1817. 

§th. The deposition of Dr. Wells Beardslee, in which 
he testified that \ was-, m Kent, (near Washington,) one hun- 
dred miles from Griswold, on the first day of July, 1817, 
and for some time before, and that I was not in Griswold. 

9th. The deposition of Homer Swift, Esq. in which he 
testified the same as Dr. Beardslee. 

Derby, April Z\$t, 1818, 

10th. Certificate of Mr. Joel Chat field. — I do hereby cei> 
tify that I have been one of the wardens of the Episcopal 
parish of Union Church, in Derby, for many years last past, 
and was one of the committee who employed the Rev. Am- 
mi Rogers to preach in said church, which he did a part of 
the time for about seven years ; that I have been personal- 
ly and intimately acquainted with him for about 14 years 
last past ; that about seven years of that time he made my 
Wise his home, and boarded in my family, when he was 
in the parish, and' has occasionally made my house his home 
ever since, and that I have always found him a very able, 
faithful, pious and exemplary clergyman ; a man of truth, 
honor and strict integrity, and no ways Justly liaDle to re- 
^ tvl voh ivi anj u^mwiu.in,j v.* i^.j ~~ r _:^.k JT ^f conduct; that 
I have been a member and attended several of the convert 
tions of the Episcopal church, in the state in which the case 
of Mr. Rogers was attempted to be discussed, and from 
what I myself, have seen and heard in said conventions, I 
am fully convinced, that the ecclesiastical proceedings, 
against him, have been not only unconstitutional and void, 
but unfair, oppressive and cruel in the highest degree. 

Joel Chatfield. 

In presence of Lemon Chatfield, Stoddard Chatfield §c 

11th. Thomas Wells, of Hebron, in the county of Tol* 
land, and state of Connecticut, of lawful age, deposeth and 
saith, that he is one of the wardens of St. Peter's Church* 
i,n said Hebron ; that he has been well acquainted wfkfh ..- 



COURT OF INQUIRY. 101 

eharacter of the Rev. Ammi Rogers for between 25 and" 
30 years last past : that he had relations and friends who 
lived under the ministry of the said Rogers, in the state of 
New-York ; that he himself was there, and that he consid- 
ers the character of the said Rogers to be and to have beeru 
good ; that the said Rogers has resided and preached in 
said Hebron a considerable part of the time for between 
rive and six years last past, and is now the settled minister 
of the Episcopal church in this place ; that the deponent 
has usually attended all the society and church meetings of 
said church ; that in those meetings he has never known 
or heard of a vote or voice against said Rogers, except one 
man, who has long since sold his property and gone off.™ 
The deponent further says that he has attended the con- \ 
vention of the Episcopal church in this state, and has made 
particular inquiry, and also when he was a member of the 
legislature of this state last fall at New-Haven, he made 
inquiry, and is fully satisfied that nothing has appeared in 
any proper manner, to the disadvantage of the said Rogers; 
and the deponent says, that he considers the character of 
the said Rogers,- among his parishioners and most intimate 
acquaintance, to be, and to have been good, as & minister, 
and as a man, and equal to "that" of ministers of the Gos»- 
pel in general : and further the deponent saith not. 

Dated at Hebron, the 26th day of April, 1819, 

Thomas Wells. 
Tolland County j ss. Hebron, April 26th y 1819. 

Personally appeared Thomas Wells, signer of the forego^ 
ing deposition, and made solemn oath that the facts there- 
in stated, were the truth, the w T hole truth, and nothing but 
the truth. — 

Before me, Stewart Beebe, Justice of Peace. 

Opened in Court. F. Coit, Justice of Peace. 

Hiram Haughton, of Hebron, in the county of Tolland? 
md state of Connecticut, of lawful age, deposeth and' saith, 
that he now is, arid for many years last past has been one 
of the wardens of St. Peter's church in said Hebron ; that 
Me has been well acquainted with the character of the 
Rev. Ammi Rogers ever since he has preached in said He- 
bron, and that he considers it to be good/ The deponent 
says that the said Rogers has resided and preached a eoa- 

9* 



103* COURT OF INbUIRY. 

siderable part of the time, for between live and six year& 
last past, and is now the settled minister of the Episcopal 
church in this town ; that ever since the said Rogers has 
preached in said Hebron, he has made his, the deponent's 
house, his home, and has boarded in his family when he 
was in the parish ; and that he considers the conduct of 
the said Rogers, as a minister and; as a man, publicly and 
privately, to be good. The deponent says, that he has 
generally attended all the society and church meetings 
of said Episcopal church ; and that in these meetings he 
has never known nor heard of a hand or a voice against 
said Rogers, except one man, who has long since sold his 
.property and gone off; that he considers the conduct and 
character of the said Rogers, among his parishioners and 
acquaintance, to be good, and equal to that of the minis-r 
ters of the gospel in general : and further the deponent- 
saithnot-— D.ate-d .at Hebron, the 26th day of April, 1819,. 

Hiram Haughton., 
Tolland County, ss. Hebron, April 26th, 1819. 

Personally ^appeared Hiram Haughton, signer of tho. 
foregoing deposition, and made solemn oath that the facts 
therein stated, are the truth, the whole truth, and nothing 
but the truth, before me, 

Stewart Beebe, Justice of the Peace.. 

Shipman Haughton, of the town of Hebron, in the coun- 
ty of Tolland, and state of Connecticut, of lawful age, de-< 
jroseth and saith, that he has been well acquainted with. 
the character of the Rev. Ammi Rogers for more than 2D 
years last past ; that he had brothers and sisters, and re- 
lations, who lived under the ministry of the said Rogers, 
while he resided in the state of New- York ; that he him? 
self was there, and from his own knowledge, and from the 
best information, which he has been able to , obtain, the 
character of the^ said Ammi Rogers is good as a minister, 
and as a man, and as a christian, &c. [the same as that of 
Mr. Wells and Mr. Hiram Haughton, and sworn before 
the same Justice of the Peace, at the same time.] 

The case was submitted to the justice without argument ; 
and he, after some deliberation ordered me to be bound 
over iw. a bond of $750, with good and sufficient security, 
for a .trial on the said complaint, before the then next Su~« 



COURT OF INQUIRY. 103 

peribr Court to be holden m Norwich, in September 
then following ; and I was allowed five days to go among; 
my acquaintance and procure bail or security for my ap- 
pearance — I suppose in the hope that I would run away.- 
Thus my destrue;Ion as a minister, which had been at- 
tempted for almost twenty years, was now likely to be ef- 
fected. Bishop Hob art would be justified in his neglect of 
me and of my parishes. Bishop Jarvis's friends would 
exult in their final success ; my parishes were mortifi- 
ed and confounded, and I was in distress. I immedi- 
ately resigned my parishes and declined all ministerial du- 
ties, except on extraordinary occasions., I procured bail 
*-nd prepared for trial. Let me pray, . 

O, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, my only 
help in time of need, look down from heaven I humbly be- 
seech thee, behold, visit and relieve me ; look upon me 
with the eyes of thy mercy, comfort me with a sense o£ 
thy goodness, preserve me from the temptations of the en- 
emy, give me patience under my affliction. Thou, Q God, 
who kno west the hearts of all men, knowest that I am not- 
guilty of the crimes charged upon me ; in thy good time 
deliver me in thy righteousness; forgive the dreadful per- 
jury and the subornation of perjury committed against me :: 
of thy great mercy forgive my enemies, persecutors and 
slanderers, and turn their hearts; lift up the light of thy. 
countenance upon me, and give me peace through Jesus- 
Purist our Lord. Amen. 

Our Father w T ho>art in heaven, &c. 

44 False witnesses with forged complaints, 

Against my truth combin'd : 
And to my charge such things they laid, 

As I had ne'er designed. 

The good which I to them had done, 

With evil they repaid ; 
And did, with malice undeserved, 

My harmless life invade," &c. 

d^ik. Psalm 2d part in the Pray tr Boe&\ 



g&4 PERSECUTION, . 

CHAPTER XII. 

PERSECUTION. 

To impeach a court of Justice is not n;y intention, where* 
there is no abuse of power. To err is human, to retract a 
known error, is noble, is manly, is generous ; but with the 
evidence laid before the court of inquiry, where is there 
any man of good sense and strict integrity, if he were un- 
prejudiced, would have bound a respectable clergyman to- 
il trial for crimes so enormous, and supported by testimo- 
ny so doubtful ? And where is there another state's attor- 
ney who would have gone eight miles, been shut up alone 
with a young woman, in th^-situation of Asenath, from one 
or -two o'clock in the afternoon until nine or ten o'clock at 
night, and there advised, persuaded, and urged heT to bring 
forward charges of that nature, and expose herself to ev- 
erlasting dishonor and contempt! — for if their story which* 
she related were true, and she had consented to what was 
alleged, where is the woman on earth .that would have told 
it I If it were not true, who would have told such a thing 
against herself? The story in itself, whether true or false, 
is disgraceful, and any woman kind who would tell it ?; 
ought to be despised, and not to be believed one way or 
the other; yet Lanman could say to this unfortunate girl,.. 
that it would he the best and most honorable thing that she 
could dc ; that it neYer should hurt her, nor cost her any- 
thing, thai she should be protected, and that she need not,, 
and should not be called upon to testify publicly in the case;; 
she followed his advice and broke her peace of mind for- 
ever, and brought everlasting disgrace and rum upon her- 
self, and others, and what good, what profit, what advan- 
tage has she, or the public, derived from it ! Let others, 
take warning from this example, never to say or do that 
at one time, of which they would have just cause to be 
ashamed at another. 

Within a few days after I w r as bound over, I called on 
Farwel Coit, Esq. at his house in Norwich, and requested* 
him to return to me the foregoing papers, which I had de- 
livered to him at the binding over; at that moment Mr 
I> an man came in and directed him not to give, them up, , 



PERSECUTION. IOS 

and insulted and abused me in that manner, of whicl 

any gentleman would be ashamed. Coit refused to give 

up the papers on the ground that it was his. duty to 

keep them for the trial. My next object was to see the 

witnesses if possible, and learn from them the cause of 

their bringing these false charges against me ; but they were 

kept out of my sight* Asenath was confined at the house 

of widow Lester, a strong presbyterian woman of violent 

passions and prejudices in Griswold, and was guarded day 

and night, and forbidden to see me, or any of my friends, 

or to speak, or to have any communication with us. $■ 

sent counsel to. converse with her, but he was refused, 

I interceded with Mr. Perry Clark to procure for me the 

privilege of speaking to her in his- presence : that if she 

was a witness in a public prosecution, one party has as 

much right to converse with her a»s the other; but he said 

they were afraid thai she would retract } that she was strictly 

guarded at the widow Lester's, and that he could give ine 

no encouragement. Maria was gone off to parts unknown 

to me — I was out of business, and might as well board at 

one place as another, and it was convenient forme to 

board at Mr. Baker's in Jewitt City, where I had formerly 

boarded ; and did hope that by some means I might find 

out the flan which had induced these witnesses to swear 

falsely against me. I employed several friends to see Ase- 

*Y 4l \- oi^i talk with her on the subject, but no one could 
ootain an opportunity. *.t v,_ ^W^ the Rpv> Lev ; 

Nelson, the Presbyterian minister of Lisbon, and the Ptev„ 

Horatio Waldo, the Presbyterian minister of Griswold, had' 

interested themselves so much as to go in person to the 

widow Lester's, and to exhort her to double her diligence 

in keeping Asenath from me and my friends, lest the whole 

plan should be defeated. I received proposals which were 

said to come from Col. Haisey, that if I would pay him 

400 dollars, the matter should all be hushed up, A and no 

more done about it. I wholly refused to pay one cent, 

trusting that my righteousness would yet break forth as the 

noon-day. For about four months, Asenath was kept and 

guarded in this way, when she had an opportunity of goin*- 

privately on a visit to Hampton, about fourteen miles.— 

This was soon communicated to me ; I immediately wen£ 



106 PERSECUTION. 

to sea her. At first she was frightened and retired ; with- 
in a few inoment3 she returned with tear3 of repentence, 
confessing and lamenting that she had been overpersuaded f 
and wickedly induced by threats and promises to lie and 
swear falsely against me ; that she had never enjoyed one 
moment's peace of mind since ; but what to do she did 
not know ; if she did not testify against the trial as she had 
done, she would be prosecuted for perjury and suffer all its 
penalties ; if she did, she should perjure herself again ; that 
she knew, I knew, and God knew, that what she had tes- 
tified against me was false, and that she should be glad to 
retract and make amends to the utmost of her power, if 
she could be protected. 

She then went before a justice, wrote with her own 
hand, subscribed, and made solemn oath to the following 
deposition, directed to the Superior Court of Connecti- 
cut, to be holden in Norwich, September, 1819, and im- 
mediately left the state. 

I, Asenath ,C. Smith, of the town of Griswold, in the 
county of New- London, and state of Connecticut, of law- 
ful age, depose and say, that the information given, and 
the complaint made by James Lanman, Esq. attorney for 
the state of Connecticut, to Farwel Coit, Esq. a justice of 
the peace, dated Norwich, April 12th, 1819, against the 
Rev. Amrni Rogers and his conduct towards me, was then, 
txnd now is wholly, utteriv, and absohV^V *V~~ 4 .r; 
just ; and I furthi '-» -r— ' *" u ^ ttiat tlie testimony which 
I gave before the said Farwel Coit, Esq. on the 29th day 
of April, 1«19, was procured, dictated, and 1 was induced 
by Coh Halsey, Dr. Downer, and others, who overpersua- 
ded and induced me to say what I did, and for which I am 
now sincerely sorry, and now confess that my testimony 
on that subject was wholly occasioned by them, and that it 
was unjust and wrongs and that the deposition dated May,. 
28, 1818, was true. [See page 93} 

Dated at Windham, September 2d, 1817. 

Asenath C. Smith. 

Windham county, ss. Windham, Sept. 2d, 1819. Per- 
sonally appeared the above named Asenath C. Smith, who-- 
subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the forego- 
ing deposition in due form of law, before me. 

Abner Robinson, Justice of the Peace* 



PERSECUTION* 10/ 

Within 20 days after the foregoing deposition, Maria, of 
her own free will and accord— without my knowledge and 
when I was not within about 30 miles of her, went before 
a Justice and gave the following deposition, viz. 

To the Hon. Superior Court , $c. 

I, Maria A. Smith of Griswold, New-London county, 
and state of Connecticut, of lawful age, depose, and on 
my oath say, that I very much regret that I , and my sister , 
Asenath C. Smith, were overpersuaded to testify to what 
we did before Esq. Coil, against Mr. Rogers, and I cannot 
conscientiously say it again, though I do not intend to im- 
plicate myself; I have no reason to believe that the char- 
ges against Mr. Rogers by my sister are true, nor have I 
any personal knowledge of any improper conduct of Mr. 
Rogers; I never heard my sister mention these charges 
against Mr. Rogers until after Col. Halsey and Dr. Dow* 
ner came to our house and staid all night. A few weeks 
after my mother's death which was in May last, my sister 
begged of me my advice as a friend, whether it would not 
be best to leave this place. As we were in bed together 
one night, she introduced the subject in a very feeling man* 
ner, and expressed much sorrow for saying what she had. 
She said that the complaint against Mr. Rogers respecting 
her, was not true, and that she never should say it again ; 
she told me that she felt conscious that she had injured Mr. 
Rogers through the persuasion of Col. Halsey and Dr, 
Downer and others. I heard them urge and persuade her 
to testify against Mr. Rogers contrary to what she told them 
washer judgment and inclination; I heard Col. Halsey 
say to her, I pledge to you my life and my honor, that it 
never shall hurt you, it will be more for your credit, it 
shall cost you nothing, you will have more friends, you 
shall be protected, &c. I further depose and say, that on 
the aforesaid night, my sister did acknowledge to me, that 
the letter received by Capt. Cook was her letter, and that 
she wrote it ; that I have heard my sister several times 
mention the subject of Mr. Roger's being wrongfully ac- 
cused by, and concerning her, that she seemed very sorry, 
mortified, and ashamed for what she had said and done ; 
and I depose and say, that I am very sorry that I was over- 
persuaded to say that which has caused me much incon- 



108 TRIAL. 

venience and trouble, though I do not intend to in* 
volve nay self in any contradictions, or any more law bu 
*iness. And further the deponent saith not. 

Maria A. Smith. 
New-London County, ss. Griswold, Se])t. 22d, 1S19. 
Personally appeared the above named Maria A. Smithy 
who hath written and subscribed the foregoing deposition* 
;>.nd made solemn oath that the same contains the truth, the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 

Before me, Denison Palmer, Justice of Peace, 
New- London County, Superior Court , Sept. 1819, opened 
in court by Charles Lathrop, Clerk, 

SUPERIOR COURT, 

County of New-London, September, 1819. 

\Fhe case of Ammi Rogers was called, 

I was present, with witnesses, and with the foregoing 
depositions of Asenath G. and Maria A. Smith; they had 
also each of them written to Calvin Goddard, Esq. who 
was counsel for me, and to Mr. Lanman also, and confess- 
ed to him, in their hand writing, and in the fullest terms, 
my innocence of the crimes and misconduct which they 
had been wickedly induced to charge falsely upon me. — ■- 
I was prepared for trial. Mr. Lanman moved to have the 
case continued. Mr. Goddard, for reasons unknown to me, 
did not object, and the case was continued; but no further 
bonds were required, and it was supposed that the case was 
dropped or dismissed. 

I now had such evidence of my innocence, as enabled 
me in some measure to resume my ministry. Maria was 
in Groton, and constantly and fully declared my innocence, 
and her own false swearing by the influence of certain per- 
sons that she named. Asenath was in Massachusetts, and 
was determined to go into Canada, and go into business as 
a tailoress, milliner and mantua-maker. She then wrote 
a letter to the church in Hebron, in which she explains the 
reasons which induced her to accuse me falsely, solemnly 
declares my innocence, confesses her own guilt and ul* 
worthiness, and humbly supplicates mercy and forgiveness. 
This letter, dated October 5th, 1819, was read before a joint 
committee of both Houses of the Honorable General Assem* 



IE? AX. 109 

%lyM Connecticut in Hartford, May, 1823. and she tbejre 
in person, before thern, solemnly made oath and testified 
that it was her letter, written with her own hand, because 
she thought it her duty, that it was true, ana that it was writ- 
ten without the assistance, influence or agency of any o^f 
She however went into the state of Vermont, and remaned 
there until sometime the next summer. I collected a con- 
gregation in Chester village, in Massachusetts, and pre ach- 
ed there, and in Blanford, and in some parts of Connect- 

SUPERIOR COURT. 
New-London County, Norwich, JoTtuwry, 1820. 
Present, the Hon. Jeremiah G. Brainard, Judge 
Col, Halsey and Jirah Isham, Esq. counsel for the state,, 
*:n the absence of Mr. Lanman, Calvin Goddard, Esq. 
and Jacob B. Guriey, Esq. counsel for me. The iirst day 
of February, 1820, was assigned for the trial. I collected 
my witnesses, sent a sufepcena for Maria A. Smith, she came 
to Norwich, and in my absence, and without my knowl- 
edge, wrote to my counsel the following deposition, viz. 
To the Honorable Superior Court, iijjpe. 

I, Maria A. Smith, of Griswold, New-London County, 
of lawful age, depose and say, that I regret, &c, (the same 
as page 109.) Ifurther depose and say, that I heard Jan es 
Lanman Esq. say, and expressly agree with my sister, as 
an inducement for her to testify against Mr. Rogers, tha it 
might be done privately : that she need not and should shit. 
be called upon to testify in open court The misfortun es 
alluded to, happened to my sister in 1817, and I never heard 
her, in any way or manner, accuse Mr. Rogers -until 181% 
und t fully believe the whole business was a plot and a 
plan to destroy Mr. Rogers unjustly : and further, that the 
following certificate was and is true. [See page 88.1 
-~"-' Maria A. Smith. 

Tolland Comity, ss. Union, May Wth, 1820. 
Personally appeared the above named Maria A. Smith, 
who subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the 
foregoing deposition, in due form of law, before me. 

William Foster, Justice of Peace, 
The foregoing deposition was first written in part, and 
sworn to before Denison Palmer, Esq. (page 108,) th^n 

10 



110 TRIAL. 

the amount of it written and ?ent to Mr. Goddard, with 
an offer of coming before the Superior Court then in ses- 
sion, and in person testifying to the truth of the facts there- 
in stated, but was advised not to do it. She then abscon-- 
went into Massachusetts, and after about four months, 
itt the house of William Foster, Esq, she again copied it 
with her own hand, and of her own accord : she then sign- 
ed it and made solemn oath to the truth of it, and it cer- 
tainly w r as true, and yet, on trial before the Superior Court 
in New -London, she swore it was utterly -false. What 
other court would have received the testimony of such a 
witness ! I 

My witnesses were collected, my testimony laid before 
the Justice at the binding over was in his possession ; the 
deposition of Asenath C. Smith before Abner Robinson, 
Esq. (page 106) and the deposition of Maria A. Smith be- 
fore Denison Palmer, Esq. (page 108), and their letters to 
Mr. Goddard, were ail ready. Col. Halsey had subpoenaed 
about forty witnesses on the pari, of the state, and they were 
present ; not one of them knew the truth of a single fact 
charged in the complaint. The case was called ; I an- 
swered, and put myself an my country for trial; the Jury 
were impahnelied, sworn and paid. The case was now 
in their hands, and they were under solemn oath to return 
& verdict, according as the evidence should then be de- 
livered in court ; and I was actually in jeopardy. 

Etiska Gecr was the iirst witness who was called and 
testified : Mr. Guriey asked him if he knew that any crime 
now charged upon me before the court was true : he testi- 
fied that he did not Mr. Guriey then said, if there be 
&uy witness present, who knows any one crime charged 
in the information against my client to be true, let him come 
forward and testify. It is not yet proved that a crime has 
been committed by any one, and I may now as well as any 
time make an objection. May it please the court, I do 
now object to any testimony in this case until the main facts 
charged be first proved, I submit to the court, if it be not 
iiry to the established law of evidence, to admit col- 
lateral testimony until the main facts charged be first pro- 
ved. Mr. Isham replied, that the main witnesses to the 
crimes charged, were, by the accused, got out of the ju- 
risdiction of the court, and their testimony could not he 



TRIAL. . • II 1 

lad, tliat in such a case, it was admissible to prove what 
they had testified at the binding over, and cited one or two 
authorities to prove it i and moved that testimony to that 
amount be then admitted. Mr. Gurley objected first, that 
the law had provided means whereby witnesses might he 
put under a recognizance to remain in the state and testify 
their knowledge in a case which was pending, and if the 
counsel had neglected that duty, the maxim in law would 
apply, viz. that no man shall take advantage of his own 
wrongs ; secondly, he said it was not yet proved that the 
witnesses were got out of the jurisdiction of the court by 
his client, and that was an offence which was not before the 
court, and he objected to any testimony to prove it The 
question now before the court, and which I wish to have 
decided is, shall collateral testimony be admitted until the 
main facts be first proved? The court repliedyi/ is mani- 
festly contrary to the laio of evidence to admit testimony to 
prove the circumstances of a crime until it be first proved, that 
there has been a crime ; in this case there is no evidence 
that a crime has been committed by any one ; and until 
these facts be first proved it is inadmissible to prove any 
circumstances : the testimony cannot be admitted. Mr. 
Isham then moved to have the case continued. Mr. Guer- 
ley objeoted r that the case was now before the jury, and 
that they were sworn to give a verdict: that the case had 
been continued on the part of the state once before : that 
the constitution had provided that eveiy person who was 
accused should be entitled to a speedy trial ; and that no 
person should be put in jeopardy twice for the same offence ; 
that if they were not ready for trial, why did they open the 
case, and that it was wrong to keep any one under bonds 
from month to month, from term to "term, and from year to 
year; that he did object to the continuance of the case, 
and if it were taken from the jury it was without his con- 
sent. The court observed that the admission of he: 
testimony in certain cases was novel in this country, that he 
felt a delicacy in deciding it -without the opinion and ad- 
vice of the other Judges ; he therefore should continue the 
case. 

My bail was bound with me, in a bond of $750, that I 
should appear and answer to the charges against me, before 



1 12 TRIAL'.. 

the Superior Court in New-London County* in September*. 
1819. This I did,. The case was then continued, with- 
out my consent, to January, 1820, but no further bail- was 
required ; I, however, appeared, answered, put myself (ml 
of le hands of my bail and on my country for trial, and had 
a trial ; the case was taken from the jury, and continued 
again without, my consent, until the next September, but 
no further bail was required ; and for that reason, and for, 
the objections made by Mr. Guerley, I did suppose the 
question to be tried was merely a question of law., and thai 
I-cmddnot be put in jeopardy twice for4he same offence ; and" 
especially as it was well konwn that the witnesses, oil 
whose testimony I was bound over, had retracted, and uiK 
der oath confessed my innocence, and exposed the circum- 
stances which induced them to accuse me falsely. 

Some days before the trial, in September, 1820, Ase-.. 
natii returned -to Connecticut, and wrote the following let-. 
ter, viz. 

To Calvin- Goddwrd, Esq. Norwich, Connecticut. 

Hebron, September 24th, 1820. 

SiR — I take this opportunity of informing you, as coun- 
sel for Mr. Rogers, that provided I can -with safety appear 
before the superior court, I am willing to testify the truth, 
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, which will be 
to clear Mr. Rogers of the charges brought against him 
concerning- me. I now expressly state to you, and I shall 
state the same before the court, that Mr. Rogers never did 
have any carnal knowledge of me, that I never was like to 
have a child by him, and that he never did produce in me 
an abortion, or use with me any drugs or medicine, or oth- 
er means for that purpose,, 

A.SENATH Ca&OLIN-S SMITH. 

The foregoing was written, signed, and declared to be 
her free act, in presence of us, 

Seih Collins, Shipman HmgJilon, John Townscnd. 

The foregoing letter was delivered to me by Seth Col- 
lins, Esq. on the day after its date, and was on the same 
Axyhv m e delivered'to Mr. Goddard,whe; I informed him,- 
that /expected Maria would be at court and testily as she 
did at the binding over. I asked and received his advice, 
and understood him to say that the charges against i 



TRIAL, 113 

-ie v er be proved, unless Asenath herself would swear that 
they were true ; that she was their witness and she could 
not be compelled to testify against herself; if I brought 
her forward as a witness they might impeach her testimony 
by proving what she testified at the binding over ;< and I 
could not impeach my own witness, nor have the constitu- 
tional right of confronting the principal witness against 
me, the witness who alone could be supposed to know and 
testify whether the charges against me were true or not ; 
the principal witness, on whose oath I was bound over for 
trial, and on whose oath I ought to be condemned or acquit- 
ted ; and if they brought her forward as a witness, (and 
without they did, the charges could never be proved against 
rne, and I must be acquitted with honor) she could then 
tell the whole story, how Col. Halsey and Dr. Downer 
went there and staid all night; what they said and did ; 
how one dictated and the other wrote the testimony, jvhich 
she and her sister gave at the binding over ; and how Mr. 
Lanman went there and was shut up alone with her in their 
east chamber, and what he said and did, and they could 
not impeach their own witness. His advice was for me 
not to offer her as a witness, but let her be at court, and 
they must bring her forward as a witness or dismiss the 
suit. Mr. ; Gurley wished to be excused from acting as 
counsel for me any further, on account of an expectation 
which he had of being state's attorney ; this he did not 
say, but I understood it ; and he was appointed. I reques- 
ted Mr. Cleaveland to -take his place, and I used all dili- 
gence to collect my witnesses. I went to Massachusetts 
after Samuel Johnson, Esq. ; Asenath came to New-Lon- 
don with Mr. Shipman Haughton, Seth Collins, Esq. and 
Capt John Townsend, from Hebron, and put up at Dodge's 
tavern, Messrs. Enoch Baker and Peleg Fry attended 
from Oris wold, Perry Clark and his wife and son were 
gone into the state of New- York and could not be obtain- 
ed ; Ebenezer Latham was in the state of Ohio ; but Capt. 
Miller's deposition was admitted at the binding over, and 
was in the hands of the justice ; James Cook, Esq* -from 
Preston attended ; Mr. Peleg Rose was detained by dis- 
tressing and dangerous illness, and did not attend ; Sam- 
wd Johnson, Esq. was there. My witnesses and I put up 
10* 



»* > £ TBI AL-. 

at podge's tavern. The witnesses on the other part and; 
GoL Halsey put up at Frink's tavern. 

THE TRIAL. 

State of Connecticut ) Q . r , # „ r , 

v ( superior Court, JSew- London,: 

Ammi Rogrs, ) C9w%, Oc/^er 5fA, 1820. 

Present the Hon. Asa Chapman, Judge, [alone.] 
Barnes Lanman, Esq. State's .Attorney, ) „ , i vT 
Jeremiah Haisey, Esq. ' ( Counsel for the 

Jitt* Isham, Esq. * y %$ 

Calein Goddard, Esq. 1 ~ , J, - 

William F. Cleveland, Esq. K? MM f U% the W^f>~ 
Jacob B. Curlev, Esq. M ne fi/stt wo were active, 

George HH1, E^q. . j the last advisory. 

1 ., Am mi Rogers, was called, and answered to this case, , 
iii September, 1819; then plead not guilty, either in whole 
or jn any part. The .ease was then on motion of Mr. Lan- 
man, continued to January term in 1820. I appeared and 
answered again, and plead not guilty, as before ; put my- 
self on my country for trial ; the jury were empanneiled 
and sworn ; about forty witnesses on the part of the state 
were swam. Elisha Geer testified ; and it was inquired if 
anyone present knew the truth of the facts charged upon 
me ; tee}' did not. Two important questions were then 
decided by the court; first,' that it was contrary to tlie law 
ol evidence to admit- collateral testimony until the main 
f&ets charged be first proved ; secondly, that hearsay testi- 
mony could not be admitted in a criminal prosecution. The 
( oiiTi'sei for the state again moved to have the case continu- 
ed ; my counsel objected ;• the court overruled, and the 
ease was taken from the jury without my consent; and 
they could not render that verdict which they had just 
sworn in the presence of the ever living God, that they 
would do. On the 5th day of October, 1820, in New- 
L >tidon, in tlie county of New-London, the same case was 
I, end I again appeared, and answered; and 

■ plead not guilty either in whole or in any 

before the justice at the binding over, before the 

ioi Court in Norwich, September, 1819, before the 

Jlijtiary, 1820, and now again in New-Loir- . 



TRIAL. IIS 

don, October, 1820. The following Jury were empannei- 
led and sworn, viz. John P. Trott, Charles Butler, Charles 
W. Wait, Eli Beardslee, George Raymond, Comstock 
Dart, James Mitchell, David Patten, Thomas Palmer, Sim- 
eon Chesebrough, Griswold Avery, Jr. Caleb Lyon. 
The clerk then read the following Information. 
To the Hon. Superior Court, fyc. in New -London County, 

James Lanman, Esq. attorney for said State, within and, 
for said county, information gives, that in the town cf Gris- 
wold in said county, on the first day of July A. D. 1S17, 
Ammi Rogers of the town aforesaid, a transient preacher, 
pretendedly of the Christian religion, did, &c. assault make 
on the body of Asenath C. Smith, of said Griswold, a sole, . 
single and unmarried young female, &c. and then and there 
&c. did unlawfully, &c. with a bastard child— [The words 
of Mr. Lanman in the information, are so very abusive, ma- 
licious, indecent, obscene and disgusting, thai I am absolute- 
ly ashamed to repeat them, or lay them before the public ;~ 
and I note give notice thai I shall avoid and omit every indel- 
icacy of expression, so far as the nature of the case and a 
just regard to myself and the public, will permit .~] And the 
said attorney further information gives, that the said Ammi 
Rogers did, in the year aforesaid, in the- said town of Gri>> 
wolcl, &c. by the use of pernicious drugs and an unusual 
instrument, produce in her, the said Asenath, an abortion of 
the said child, fyc, .Sfc* all which wrong doings of the said 
Rogers, are against the peace of the state and the laws of 
the same, &c. a high crime and misdemeanor, and to the 
evil example of others in like cases to offend.; — Dated at 
Norwich, September -28th, A. D. 1820. 

James Lanman, Attorney. 
Was there ever a clergyman in any Protestant country, 
so falsely accused, persecuted, insulted and abused ! and 
all because I was opposed to a union of Church and State, 
(See page 37,) but I am now in their hands. 

The Clerk of the Court then said tome, hold up your 
hand : are you guilty, or not guilty of what is now charged 
upon you in this information ? I answered : / am not guil- 
ty, either in whole or in any part, and I have no idea that my 
accusers ever thought I was guilty. 
Tbe Jury were then called again, and again sworn fcha -, 



18' 



TRIAL', 



they would give a true verdict on the charges contained in 
that information, just read in their hearing, according to the 
evidence then delivered in Court. 
The ivitnesses on the part of the State mere called and sworn. 

R was expected that Mr. Goddard would have made a 
ohailenge, that if there were any witnesses present who 
knew, and would testify, that I ever had committed these> 
or any other crimes, with Asenath Caroline Smith, they 
would then come forward and testify , and that he did ob- 
ject to any testimony in the case, until that was done. 
Would not any lawyer who was true to his client and sin- 
cerely intended to -defend Mm, have done this ? I appeal 
to every gentleman of the Bar ; would not you have done 
it ? In this case, Asenath, who was then in town, must 
have been brought forward and she would have exposed 
the whole plot, or I must have been acquitted with honor... 
But my counsel, in whose hands I had placed myself, my 
cause, my character, my profession, my liberty, my all, for 
reasons unknown and unexpected to me did not take* that 
stand : in fact I was deceived and betrayed by my own 
counsel. 

Elisha Geer was the first witness ; he is grandfather of 
Asenath and Maria A. Smith. Mr. Goddard informed the 
court that this case had once been committed to a jury, wit- 
nesses w T ere sworn and examined, & was opened on the part 
of the state, and the accused was actually in jeopardy, that 
the case was taken from the jury without his consent : and 
By the constitution of the United States no person could be 
put in jeopardy twice for the same thing or on the same 
charge. The court decided that no one could be consider- 
ed as having been in jeopardy until a verdict had been ren- 
dered. The counsel did not object to the trial, on the 
statute of limitation of which I was at that time ignprant ; 
the crimes alleged were outlawed by the state law of Con- 
necticut. Mr. Geer testified the same as in page 96. 

Question by Mr. Lanman. Do, you not know that the 
prisoner was courting your grand-daughter? Mr. God- 
dard objected to the question as altogeter irrelevent : it 
has nothing to do with the case on trial ; we presume that 
it is no part of my client's offence that he was courting tlnV 
girl, if it was true ;, courting is not an indictable crime, iU 



TSIAfc. tfT 

constitutes no part of the offence charged in the informa- 
tion. Mr. Lanman replied, it certainly is admissible, to* 
shew tile nature of the intimacy which subsisted between 
the prisoner and this young woman ;_ it shews the power 
and opportunity he had to commit the crimes alleged 
against him, and the inducement he had to act ; it is furn- 
ishing some presumption that he did commit the crimes 
charged. Mr. Goddard replied that there was no evi- 
dence before the|court that any crime ever was committed 
by any person with this young woman, or with any body 
else ; and I do object to any testimony to prove the circum- 
stances of a crime, or the inducements to commit a crime, 
until it be first proved that there has been a crime. The 
court overruled and directed the witnesses to proceed : cS— 
redly contrary to the decision of Judge Brain ard in this very- 
case only the term before. Mr. Goddard then informed Mr. 
Lanman and the court, that Asenath C. Smith was then in 
town ; and it remained with her to say whether the char- 
ges were true or not. The court directed the witness to 
proceed. Mr. Goddard objected — the court told him to 
go on, Mr. Geer|then said, I had no doubt that the prison- 
er was courting my grand- daughter ; they appeared like it 
and were very fond of each other, audi verily believed^ 
that he intended to make her his wife. This witness did:: 
not pretend to have any knowledge that any crime charged 
in the information was true, and his testimony was directly 
contrary to what he and all the family had assured Mr. Rose, 
and others. [See page 98.} 

Dr. E. B. Doivning was the second witness ;., lie testified" 
the same as ill page 95. The Judge informed him that it- 
was an indelicate subject, but the facts must be stated as . 
they were. How long should yen judge that the foetus 
had been dead ? Ans. I do not know ; I should think about 
a week. By Mr. Lanman. — How old should you judge 
the foetus was ! Ans. I should think that she must have 
been from the fourth to the sixth month of her pregnancy. 
By the same.— Did you observe any thing in the fcetus or 
its mother, whereby you should judge there had been foul; 
play ? Ads. I did not : it was in a most putrified and of- 
fensive state. By Mr. Goddard. — Might not this abortion 
in your opinion, have been produced by sickness, infirmi- 
ty, or accident in the mother ? Ans, Yes, sir, it might have 



1 1 8 TRIAL.* 

been produced by either. By the same. — Did you see or 
notice any mark of violence upon the mother or upon the. 
child. Ans.. I did not. 

Maria A, Smith was the next witness ; she was the sup- 
posed [sister of the said Asenath, then about twenty-one 
years of age, and between two and three years younger 
than the said Asenath ^ she was tall and a good figure, 
very handsome, had a better education, as to learning than 
common; she dressed well and appeared well, was very 
fluent and impressive in speech ; but was a* great liar, and 
said to he unchaste. She began by saying, I have told so 
many different stories and contradicted myself so often on the 
subject now before the court, that I did not think my testimo- 
ny would be received. Who then ought to receive it ! ! But 
the court directed her to proceed. She then testified that 
she first became acquainted with me in August, 1815, and 
told a Story about my courting her sister, that she had been 
to Massachusetts, that between Mr. Mercer's and Mrs, 
Eaton's, I took her into a most dismal swamp, in a dark 
night, and there extorted from her a promise to give a depo- 
sition in my favor— that the next day she went before Esq, 
Foster, wrote and made deposition contradicting what she 
had testified at the binding over, (human language never 
uttered greater falsehoods !) Benjamin Smith made sol- 
emn oath, September 18th, 1823, " that he had lived about 
40 years on the road which she described, that there was 
not then and never had been a swamp of any kind in the 
place she referred to, much less such a dismal one as she 
described" — the deposition was of her own freewill and 
was in substance the same as she had sworn to before Esq. 
Palmer, (compare them in page 111 and 107) and they 
are the same in substance as the letters which she had 
written to Messrs. Lanman and Goddard, and which she 
had offered to come before the Superior Court and swear 
to, which she had repeatedly told the Committee of Church- 
es when applied to, and what she had constantly declared 
until she had now made friends with Lanman and put her- 
self in his power — but what confidence ought to be placed 
in such a witness, who had so often contradicted herself, 
under oath and told so many different stories,that she did nat 
think her testimony would be received ? yet the court would 



TRIAL. I ] 9 

' Uid did receive it, and on it I was condemned ! shame !- — 
shame on the court, and shame on all who will uphold such 
induct ! The excitement of Anti-masonry against Masons 
is not to he compared with it !! who may not be ruined'in 
this way. » 

She testified that i had kept private company with her 
sister, from about Christmas, 1815, to October, 1817; .that 
she had seen us in bed together; that in October, 1817, I 
came to their house one Tuesday evening, and remained 
shut up in a chamber alone with her sister day and night, 
until Saturday morning; that the door was kept fastened, 
and none of the family were admitted : that on Thursday 
evening she and her mother heard^a most dismal screech, 
and ran up stairs to know what was the matter ; that the 
door was fastened and they demanded admittance, and after 
some delay they were admitted, when they found Asenath 
lying on the bed, and me standing by her holding a sheet 
over her head, and said she had got hysterics, and I would 
take care of her, and they went down and left us. [Noth- 
ing could be more false, and it is fully contradicted by Per- 
ry Clark } Sophia Clark, and Lester Clark, under oath, but 
their testimony could not be had on trial.] — That on Satur- 
day morning I went from there, and the next week she 
was delivered of a dead child; that on the Saturday night 
before the first Monday in May, 1S18, I came to their 
house about 12 o'clock at night, when they were in bed, 
that I staid about three hours, and advised Asenath to go 
away — (this is fully contradicted by Esq. Cook and his 
wife,) and the next day Andrew dark conveyed her to 
Hampton. 

Question by Mr. Lanmctn. Have you lately seen and 
conversed with the prisoner ? Answer. About three weeks 
ago, Samuel Johnson, Esq. of Chester, came to see me, 
and brought a letter from Mr. Rogers, requesting to see 
me alone, and I, by the advice of Dr. Daniels, wholly re- 
fused, &c. 

By Mr. Goddard. Is your sister subject to hysterics ? 
She has been,lbut had none for some months before I heard 
that shriek in the chamber. By the same. How many 
months ? Ans. Not for six months, I should think. By 
the same. Do you swear that you had not known her to 



^20 TRIAL, 

liave fits in .six months before that time ? - Ans, I do rioi 
think she had. Perry Clark Sophia Clark, and Lester 
Clark, have since the t:ial sworn directly contrary to this. 
But admitting the whole story to be true, I ask every ju- 
'ryman on his oath ; I ask the whole world, does it prove 
"any one crime charged upon me in the information ? At 
this time Mr. John C. Baker, who was one of their wit- 
nesses, came and informed me privately, that Mr. Lester 
Clark had returned to Griswold, and desired him to inform 
4iae, that he knew that which would wholly destroy the 
testimony of Maria A. Smith, and that if he was sent for 
he would come and testify, I then said to the judge, 
there is now a witness, within a few miles of this place, 
and within the jurisdiction of this court, whose testimony 
is necessary in my defence ; I am now at the bar on trial, 
and have it not in my power to send for him, I therefore 
pray the court to send for him. Mr. Lanman objected. I 
replied that I was then on trial and had it not in my power 
to send. And on that ground I pray the court to send. 
The court wholly declined^ and directed them to proceed 
without him. Was there ever such a thing before ? 

Andrew Clark was the next witness. The third of May, 
1818, I think Asenath asked me to Carry her to her uncle's 
in Windham. I carried her there, and she paid me out of a 
two dollar bill. By Mr. Lanman. — Have you any knowl- 
edge that Rogers came to your house to court Asenath ? 
Ans. I do not know ; he was there frequently, and they 
appeared fond of each other. By Mr. Goddard.— Is Ase- 
nath subject to tits ? Ans. She is. By the same. — Had 
she any fits a short time before the noise was said to be 
heard in her chamber ? — Ans. I think she had, not a great 
while before that time. By the same. — Do you think with- 
in six months ? Ans. I should think she had within that 
time. [Perry Clark, Sophia Clark, and Lester Clark, have 
testified since the trial, that they never knew me to be 
shut up with Asenath a day or night in the world ; that 
they never knew or heard of such a noise at their house as 
Maria described, until about two years afterwards ; that at 
the time the noise was said to be heard, they well remem- 
bered that Asenath was sick, and had fits, and fell from 
her bed on the floor, and Lester then offered to go after a 



trial' 121 

ocetor for her, and her mother objected. They all swear 
=that in the summer and fall of 1817, Asenath was very 
sickly, weakly and unwell, and had fits ; and both before 
-and since the trial she has testified that by these means, 
she supposed, she lost her child, if she ever was like to 
have one, (for she never saw it and never knew any thing 
of it only by hearsay,) she was in town ready to testify the 
same on trial. 

Dr. Ira Daniels was the next witness : He was the edit- 
or or proprietor of a newspaper in Springfield, Massachu- 
setts; he was a native of Worth ington in that state, studi- 
ed physic for a short time in that place— went into Vir- 
ginia, and set up the practice of physic— left there in cir** 
cumstances not the most favorable-^- returned to Springfield 
and set up the printing business ; liad been a Baptist by 
profession, but had left their communion, and had espous- 
ed the cause of Socinianism or deism. He had brought 
Maria to court, w^as much in her private company, but 
knew nothing of the truth of the crimes charged upon me ; 
had never heard of them until betw r een two and three years 
after they were said to have been committed, but manifes- 
ted great zeal in supporting the testimony of Maria. 

Samuel Wheeler, the negro, was the next witness, and 
testified as in page 95. By Mr. Goddard. — Did they see 
you ? Ans. I do not know — they rolled over. But no 
question was asked him, what year, or time of the year it 
was ; or how he could distinguish people so as to swear 
who they were, if they were covered in bed ; if that bed 
was surrounded with curtains, if it was so situated that 
the head of the bed could not be seen from the door, &c. 
But admitting this story to be true, it was a very indecent 
and imprudent act, and that of which every person ought 
to be ashamed ; but does it prove any one crime charged 
in the information to be ferae ? It certainly does not. 

Welcome A. Browning was the next. He, from secta- 
rian principles had become unfriendly to me, and discov- 
ered great anxiety to have me condemned. He testified 
that he lived within about forty rods of Mr. Geer ; that 
he never saw me there but once ; that he had frequently 
•seen me going to, and coming from the house, and at the 
•door ; that Sam came home one day and told the story 

11 



122 TRIAL. 

which he had just related ; and he told him he must not 
tell such a story about Mr. Rogers, for he was a minis- 
ter ; ana that he should flog him if he did, that Sam told 
him he might flog him if he was a mind to, but the story 
was true, and he did not whip him, and that he thought 
his character for truth and veracity was good as black boys 
in general. — [He has since been in the state prison — See 
page 96.] 

William Foster, Esq. He is a justice of the peace in 
the town of Union. He testified that about the last of last 
May, I came to his house with Maria A. Smith ; that she 
there wrote a deposition, signed and made oath to it before 
him; that on being told to swear to the deposition, she ap- 
peared to be agitated ; that he was about to caution her, 
when I broke in upon him by saying (hat she was a well edu- 
cated young woman, understood the nature of an oath, and 
needed not to be catechised; that I was out of his house 
al times while she was there, feeding and taking care 
of my horse, and he had opportunities of speaking to her 
when I was not present. He did not testify that Maria 
discovered any unwillingness to testify, or that she sug-* 
gested to him any thing that was unfair ; she was at his 
house sometime, and inquired of him for a school, and also 
for a place where she could live, and go out on the tailoring 

Ralph Webb was iho, next witness ; he testified that he 
kept a tavern in Windham, Scotland society; that I came 
to his house at a late hour in the night about the first of 
September, 1819, and staid there; that the next morning, 
by my request, he sent a boy with a horse and wagon to 
Capt. William Howard's in Hampton, about five miles, af- 
ter Asenath C. Smith, and that she came there with him; 
that he then went after a justice of the peace, and he un- 
derstood, for he was not present, that she gave her deposi- 
tion before him ; — that she went away from his house that 
night, and*he believed alone. 

Mrs. Eunice Howard, testified that about the first of 
September, 1819, she went to Griswold and brought Ase- 
nath C. Smith home with her in a carriage; that it was 
wholly without my knowledge or agency ; that I soon 
mme there in my carriage and had some conversation with 



TRIAL, 123 

Asenath, who appeared to be in trouble ; that she went 
away with me in my carriage, and returned again that night ; 
that the next morning a boy came after her with. a wag- 
on : that shep?xked up her things, put them into the wag- 
bid them good by, and went off. 
Ha Geer, testified, that AsenathC. Smith was at their 
house in Windham, sometime in May, 1818; that I called 
\kere. sta:d a little while and went away ; that I often pas- 
sed their house when I went to preach in Hampton, and 
so me times called. 

Eunice Willoughby, testified that she lived at Webbs' tav- 
ern at the time I came there and staid, about the first of 
September, 1819 ; that she was sweeping the room joining 
the one where Asenath and I were ; and looking through 
a crack in a swing petition, she saw us ; that I had a pa- 
per in my hand, and said, Asenath, you must contradict 
what you testified about this ; that she replied, and said, I 
cannot, and wish I was dead ; that she did not know what 
it was that I wished to have her contradict, but thought it 
was what she testified before Esq. Coit. [It was a copy 
of the letter which she had written to Capt. Cook, dated 
August 6th, 1818, which at the binding over she testified 
was not written by her, and that she knew nothing of it.— 
I now requested her to contradict what she had testified 
concerning that letter ; this she had said so much about,, 
that though she then acknowledged it was her letter, writ- 
ten by her, and it was true ; yet she felt a reluctance at 
contradicting what she had testified on that point, and I 
said no more to her on it.] 

Warren IWliams, testified, that in the month of Janua- 
ry, 1820, Maria A. Smith worked at his house in Groton, 
as a hired girl ; that Mr. W illoughby came there and sum- 
moned her in my behalf, to appear in court, in Norwich, 
and testify what she knew in my case ; that he gave her a 
silver dollar, and that she, with seeming reluctance, went 
with him. 

Lydia Williams testified that one Sunday evening in Jan- 
uary, 1820, Maria A. Smith was at her house in Groton; 
that I came there just at dark, and wished to speak with 
ber, and that she went out of the house with me. 

Capt. EpHraim M. Williams of Groton, testified, that he 



124 TRIAL,- 

lived in the same house with the last witness, wE 

his mother, and that he could testify to no more than what 

she had. 

Here the evidence on the part of the state was closed 
for the present, and no one crime charged in the infcrmatmn 
n:as proved or even attempted to be proved by anyone witness 
Even the presumptive proof was founded principally on 
the testimony of Maria A. Smith, who began her testimo- 
ny by swearing- that she had told so many different storied 
and had contradicted herself so often on the subject^ that she 
If did not think her testimony would be received ; and 
Sam Wheeler, the negro, whose master declared that he 
eould not believe him when he was sent on a common er- 
rand ; poor evidence to destroy a respectable clergyman, 
who had 2000 souls under his care; and against whom the 
wardens of the church in Hebron made solemn oath, that 
for six years last past they had not known, or so much as 
heard of a voice or a vote against him, except one man. — 
(j(gr»If I had been a presbyterian minister, should I have 
been condemned in this way and on such testimony I ! 

court directed, my Counsel to bring forward their wit- 
nesses* 
[And here I am astonished that my counsel did not sub- 
mit the case without a witness on my part, for there was . 
idence of any crime as charged upon me :J 
James Cook, Esq, was the first witness. He testified • 
the same as in page 97. — That he went to the house of Eli- 
sha Geer, when both families, viz. Mrs. Smith's and Geer, 
and Mr. Perry Clark's, came together; that they informed' 
them that they were a committee to inquire into the re- 
ports concerning Mr. Rogers andAsenath. By the Judge, 
What Reports ? Ans. The charges which are now against 
him: and they informed "us that the whole story was a lie ; ; . 
that Mr. Rogers had never been there courting, but only 
as a clergyman and a friend, and that they were always giad 
to see him; they said expressly, that he had never kept 
private company with Asenath, nor lain with her, &c. ;,, 
and that they never had any thought or expectatoin that he 
would marry her, and absolutely cleared him of every 
thing improper there, and signed a certificate to thai 
sgpaount— [See page 88.] 



V 

TRIAL* 125 

We them went to Mr. Browning's and made our busi- 
ness known to them, and he and his wife fully cleared Mr; 
Rogers of every improper act so far as they knew. We in- 
formed them that we understood that their negro had said 
that he had seen Mr. Rogers and Asenath in bed together,- 
Mr. Browning said that his negro- was a poor, lying good- 
for-nothing fellow, that he could not believe him when he 
was sent on a common errand, and that he placed no confi- 
dence ia his story ; [here Mr. Browning contradicted the 
witness and declared that he had never said so ; but it can 
he proved by three respectable men, who were present,, that lie 
did say these words.] We then went to Ebenezer Clark's 
and made the same inquiry, and they all declared^ they 
knew no hurt of Mr. Rogers, and nothings of the truth of 
the reports ; and we reported that they were- wholly with- 
out any foundation in truth, and ought not to be regarded. 
On the Saturday night before the first Sunday in May 1818, 
when Maria testified that Mr. Rogers came there in the 
night and advised Asenath to go away, I met him at Pres- 
ton city : it rained hard and he went home with me and 
staid; it was an unusually dark, rainy and windy night; 
we set up until half past eleven o'clock ; Mr. Rogers left 
Bis hat, whip, boots, great-coat, and saddle bags, in the 
room where I and mv wife lay ; in the morning they were 
where he left them ; and I was up and foddered his horse 
Before sunrise, and I did not observe that he was wet or 
had been moved; my wife said she was unwell and had 
not been lost in sleep all night ; and under these circum- 
stances I do not think it possible for Mr. Rogers to get up 
at that late hour in the night, and at that season of the 
year, and pass through three doors, one of which opened 
very hard, go eight miles, stay two or three hours, return, 
put out his horse, come into the house and go to bed again, 
within eight feet of where I and my wife lay, and nobody 
know it or suspect it. [And I ask, what could any man, 
who lay in a bed and in a room alone, prove more than 
this? And if this important part of her testimony be false, 
the jury and the public ought to consider the parts 

to be false also.] By Mr. Lanman. — Was this Saturday 
night ? Ans. Yes sir. By the same. — Did you come from 
Preston city with Rogers on that evening ? Ans. I did*. 

11* . 



126" TRIAL, 

Did you not have conversation with kim, with regard 
the complaint which Col. Haisey had caused to be ma 
against Asenath ? Ans. I did. I told him I underst* m 
that there was such a complaint, and in conversation on 
the stories raised by Haisey and Downer, he said he did. 
see how they could implicate him. 
Here I arose and said — May it please the Court, Island 
here accused of crimes which never came into my mind , 
and of which I have no idea that my accusers ever thought 
■guilty — there were important papers and documents, 
.ered to.the Justice, at the binding over, as evidence 
ill the case, and admitted by consent of counsel, among 
those papers are the depositions of Asenath C. Smith in 
ich she has solemnly sworn that same supposed child ^ 
he has since been wickedly sub- 
upon me. — Also the certificate refer- 
red to by Esq. Coo];, [page 88] also the deposition of Ma- 
ii \. Smitb 107] to prove the falsity of what she 

• -ition of Curtis Hickok 
Esq, and others, [page 100] to prove that I was not with- 
in 100 miles of Die place, when and where the crimes art: 
argedtohave been committed,— and manv others pa- 
olutely necessary in my defence, [see page 99] 
turning to Esiq. Coit, said, I wish you now to retr 
(hem to me. Ans. I shall not give them up without the 
order of the Court. I said — will the Court please to or- 
them given up, for without them I cannot have a fair 
trial The Judge replied, I do not know that I have pow- 
er to order, but I advise you to return tkem. He answer- 
ed, I have not got than ; then turning to Mr. Lanman said, 
have you not got them ? Mr. Lanma% looking over a bun- 
dle of papers, said, I did not take them. The Judge said, 
well, proceed in the trial; bring on your next witness. — 
[James Cook, Esq. Capt,_ John Townsend, Messrs. Peleg 
Hose and Enoch Bakerjiave, since the trial, made solemn- 
oath that they saw me deliver to the Court of Inquiry the pa- 
pers referred to in page 99— that they were present at the 
trial and heard me call for the aforesaid papers and docu- 
ments— that they were withheld, and the court pre cecded 
without them.'] 
Mr. Enoch Baker was the next witness ; he testified as im 



TRIAL, ■ 12 7 

rage 93 ; and "tha£they all cleared Mr. Rogers of every tiling, 
improper there, and said he had never courted Asenath nor 
kept her company ; that she never had been like to have a 
child by him and lost it, and that the whole story was a 
iie, and" that the certificate which they had signed and giv- 
en, clearing him of all improper conduct, was true. By 
Mr. Lannia£. — Was this committee appointed at the 
request of Mr. Rogers ? xins. It was. By the same. Did 
he go to Mr. Geer's with you and Mr. Fry ? Ans. He did- 
not , I do not know that he was in that pare of the state at 
the time, of knew any thing of our going there then. By- 
Uie same.— Did you see Maria at that time ? I do not ree~ 
oilect particularly that! did, but some time after Mr: Ro- 
gers was bound over, she came to my house and wished to ^ 
speak with me alone and in confidence; I went into anoth- 
er room with her, and after same conversation, she told me 
that what she had testified before Esq. Colt., against Mr,. 
Rogers, was all a lie, and she should never say it again. 

Mr. Peleg Fry testified that Mr. Baker and he went 
to Mr. Geer's and Mr. Browning's to inquire, &c. [See 
page 99] and the y did inquire as Mr. Baker had sta- 
rted, and that he had represented the information which . 
they had received as it Was ; that Mrs. Browning in partic- 
ular, said that she was at Mr. Geer's on the night when- 
Asenath was said to have been delivered, and assisted, and 
had the means of knowledge, and said it was all a lie : 
that she never had a child i [and it is not certain she ever did 
have one, for no one ever saw it but Dr. Downing, and he 
said it was destroyed as soon as she was delivered — that it 
was so putrified he could not describe it ; but they made her 
believe that she had been like to have one, and had lost it 
on a certain night when she had fits, and had no knowledge 
of what was done.— Who can help reflecting on the case 
of the Bournes who confessed they had murdered Colvin, 
who was then living !"] 

Samuel Johnson Esq. was called, but it being late at 
night, he did not testify; and the court adjourned. Mr 
lohnson had come from Massachusetts in an expectation 
that no collateral testimony would he admitted, until the main. 
facts, charged were first proved; but the court overruled, 



im 



iRIAL, 



Asenath was not called upon to testify, and his testimony; 
was not necessary. 

Friday, October 6th> 1826. 
Qapt. John Townsend testified, that Maria A. Smith 
«ame to his house last February, and called her name Bet- 
sey Payne ; she said she wanted to stay there a few days, 
till she could get an opportunity of going to Hartford ; but 
he soon found her real name was Maria A. Smith ; that 
flhe told hiii what she had testified before Esq. Colt against 
Mr. was not true,, that she could not in conscience 

Rty it again, for she had never seen or known any improp- 
er conduct of Mr. Rogers, and had no reason to think that, 
the chaj hua were true ; that if she did not tes- 

tify as sue did 1 e should be prosecuted for perju- 

ry ; id she should perjure herself again and con- 

demn the innocent, and for that reason she wanted to get 
art of the - i she was very sorry for what she 

had done and wanted to get away ; that she was very fear- 
ful all fl] fc his house that some one would 
Norwich. Mr. Willoughby and his wife 
brought her there; she staid about eight or ten days; her 
eonversa ion and b^ vers so lacivious with his 
young man and before his children, that he would not have 
her in h By the court. — Did you inform Mr. Ro- 
gers wl said? Atis. I did. By the same. — Was 
he at your house while she was there ? Aris. He was not,, 
to r>iy knowledge ; an i I have no knowledge or belief that 
he knew sne was coming there, or had been there, until af- 
ter she was gone. 

Joseph R. Willoughby was sworn; He kept a tavern ihi 
Norwich, where the Court of Inquiry was held, and was 
employed by me to go and summon Maria A. Smith as a 
witness. Ke testified that he found her at Williams' in 
Groton, and summoned her and paid her a silver dollar ; 
that she appeared very reluctant and unwilling to go, and 
wished to speak with him alone ; and then. informed him that 
what she had testified before Esq. Coit } at his house, against 
Mr. fingers, was not true ; and that she could not in con- 
science say it again, for she had never seen any thing amiss 
in him, and had no reason to think that the charges against 
Wbl were true ; that if she went to the court and did not 



testify as she did before, she should be prosecuted ana 
punished for perjury ; if she did, she should perjure her- 
self again: and what to do she did not know ; and seemed 
to be very much affected* He testified that he felt sorry 
for her, and advised her to go home with him, and to put 
to paper what she could in conscience swear to, and he 
would carry it privately to Messrs. Goddard and Gurleyv 
and let her know what they said, and that it need not be 
known that she was there. To this she agreed and came 
liome with him, and soon after wrote to Messrs. Goddard 
and Gurley, and he carried it; that they said it was so 
contrary to what she had testified before, that she certain- 
ly would be liable to prosecution ; and this he communica- 
ted to Maria, who from that time appeared determined 
not to appear at Court, but to go away. He advised her' 
to stay until Mr. Rogers should return, who all this time 
had been gone a journey. [Here Mr. Gurley read the 
Tetter which Maria had written and offered to swear to fee- 
fore the superior court, see page 107 and 111.1 The wit- 
ness testified that Maria appeared to be very iearful of 
having it known that she was there, and kept herself most- 
ly confined to her chamber, though she eat at the table 
with the family ; that Mr. Spencer was at his house while 
Maria was there, and he understood that he had a capias 
for her : that she left his house in the night, and the next 
he heard of her she was in Lebanon. By the court. — 
Was she kept concealed at your house ? Ans. She kept 
her chamber most of the time, and did not wish to have it- 
known that she was there. By the same.— Who paid you 
for her board ? Ans. As I was employed by Mr. Rogers 
to summon her, I charged her board to him. By the same. 
Did you see hef after she went from your house ? Ans. I 
carried her to Bascorab's and to Mr. Townsends. 

Miss Mary Ann Wilhughby was sworn : she was the 
daughter of Mr. J. R. Willoughby, a sensible, well educa- 
ted, respectable and worthy young woman, about twenty 
years of age ; she testified, that she first saw Maria A. 
£mith at the binding over in this case ; that she afterwards 
became acquainted with her when she came U her fa- 
ther's house with him in January, 1820; that she then 
k$& considerable conversation vrith her, and at different 



130 tftiAt. 

times on the case of Mr. Rogers ; that she informed b&f 
that she had never seen or known any thing amiss or im- 
proper in the cpnduct of Mr. Rogers ; that she had no rea- 
son to think that the charges against him were true ; and 
that she thought he was a very clever man. The witness 
asked her, if that were the case, how she came to testify 
as she did at the binding over ? that she then said, that, at 
that time she took a false oath against him before Esq c 
Ooit, and that old Halsey, Dr. Downer and Jim Lanman, 
as she called them, had overpersuaded and hired her to do 
it ; and that she was determined not to do it again, and 
was very anxious that it should not be known that she was 
there. By Mr. Goddard. Was this conversation volunta- 
ry on the part of Maria ? Aris. Yes sir, entirely so, and she 
often repeated it ; and she recollected that Maria wrote to 
Mr. Goddard on the subject ; that her father furnished pen, 
ink and paper ; that this was in the absence of Mr. Ro- 
gers ; and after that, she was anxious to get away, and was 
very fearful of being found by Mr. Spencer, /or she said he 
wdS a cunning tievii. By Mr, Lanman. — Did Rogers put 
up at your house at this time ? Ans. He did : but was 
absent on a journey and did not return until, I think, the 
day she went away. By the same. — Do you know when 
she went away from your house ? Ans. I do not, but it 
was in the night, and I believe alone. 

Mr. Shipman Haughton testified, that Maria A. Smith- 
came to his house sometime last February ; that he had 
considerable conversation with her about Mr. Rogers anc£ 
asked her (when they were alone) to tell him as a friend and 
in confidence^ Did Mr. Rogers court or keep private com- 
pany with your sister ? that she replied, he never did.— 
Did you ever see them in bed together and have you any 
reason to think that the child which your sister was like 
&> have was by him ? that she answered, I have once said- 
it, but I never shall say it again. He then asked her t®> 
tell him candidly if it was- true ? that she then declared it 
was not true ; that she had never seen Mr. Rogers in bed 
with her sister, and that she had no reasoa to think that 
the child was his; that she had often seen George Downer 
hi bed with her, and she had every reason to believe the 
$hiid was his ; and that it was nothing but a plan and & 



TRIAL* 13| 

plot of old Haisey, Dr. Downer, and James Lawman, to 
charge it falsely upon Mr, Rogers, to ruin and drive him 
off, and to clear George. They have once overpersuaded 
and hired me, said she, to take a false qgjh against him. 
and I never should have done it had it not been for them, 
but I shall never say it again 4 and for that reason she ap- 
peared very anxious to get out oi the state, and that it 
should not be known where she was. By Mr. Goddard. — 
Have you seen Maria since you came to town ? Ans. Last 
•eveningjEsq. Collins and I went into Frink^s tavern, where 
she stays, to see her, and to hear what she would say ; it 
it was dark when we went in, and Maria was talking with 
Col. Haisey, and appeared to be very angry, and reproach- 
ed him for having led her into that scrape, and said she 
never should have said and done what she did, if it had 
not been for him ; at this time some one came in andbro't 
a light, which interrupted the conversation. Questions by 
Mr. Lanman, who seemed very much mortified at the tes- 
timony of this witness, and determined to cramp him with 
questions which were entirely irrelevant and which I do 
not think proper to repeat. 

Seth Collins Esq. sworn. He testified that he w^ent 
with Mr. Haughton the last evening and heard and knew 
that to be true which he had testified, respecting what Ma- 
ria said to Col. Haisey ; that he heard her tell Col. Hai- 
sey only last evening, if it had not been for the coaxing and 
flattering of him and Dr. Downer, she never should have 
been in that unhappy scrape, and blamed them very much 
for their conduct. 

Witnesses on the part of the State called again. 

Maria A. Smith testified that it was true that she said 
to Coi. Haisey last night what Esq. Collins and Mr. Haugh- 
-ion had testified ; that the testimony of Mary Ann Wil- 
loughby and her father, of Capt. Townsend, Mr. Haugh- 
•ton, Esq. Cook, and all my witnesses was true, but eva- 
ded the force of it by testifying that it was in compliance 
with my wishes and by my direction ! In the other case she 
made oath before D. Palmer, Esq. and W. Foster, Esq. and 
offered to swear before the Sup. Court, when I was not 
within thirty miles of her, that she had been overpersuaded 
ssid hired by old Haisey, Dr. Downer ? and James Lanman 



132 TRIAL, 

to take a false oath against me when I was bound oVeV ': 
that she could not conscientiously say it again, and that 
she had done it in compliance with their -wishes, and by 
their direction. ^This is the amount of what she testified, 
of what she said^nd of what she offered to testify. This 
she charged upon them, this she charged upon me, and 
this she now since the trial charges upon them again ; and 
ought any man to be implicated in any way by such a 
witness as this ? Since the trial she has confessed before 
witnesses, that her testi?nony against me before the court, on 
trial, was a lie, and said, that a lie never had choaked her, 
and did not choak her then. 

Welcome A. Browning was called again. He testified 
that he never told Esq. Cook that his negro was a great 
liar, and that he could not believe him when he was sent 
on a common errand. Mr. Peleg Rose, a man of good 
character, and of much truth and veracity as Welcome A. 
Browning, made solemn cath, that said Browning declared 
to him, and to James Cook, Esq. that his said negro "was 
a poor, lying, good-for-nothing fellow ; that he could not 
believe him when he was sent on a common errand, and 
that he placed no confidence in his story. " Browning tes- 
tified that he lived near neighbor to Maria A. Smith, and 
that he knew nothing against her character. 

Elias Brews: er testified that he lived in the neighbor- 
hood of Sam and Maria ; that he did not consider him 
entitled to the first credit; he did not know but he 
might be entitled to as much credit as such black boys 
in general ; that he did not personally know any thing 
against the character of Maria and did not know but it 
was as good as people's in general as to truth. From her 
own testimony then before the court, viz. that she had told 
so many different stories, and had contradicted herself so of- 
ten on the subject^ that she herself did not think her testi- 
mony would be received — one would think that any fur- 
ther testimony to prove her want of truth would be unne- 
cessary- 

John C. Baker testified, that I boarded at his father's 
in 1819; that I discovered an anxiety to see Asenath, and 
said if I could see her, I did not doubt but she would tell 
the truth and expose the plot which had been formed against 



fRiikL. 133 

f&e ; that I said I would give a considerable to see he* and 
calk with her, but that I never had that privilege to his 
knowledge, until after she went from Griswold. By Mr* 
Lanman. How far did your father live from Asenath ? 
Ans. I should think it was about two miles, as the roafl 
rans to widow Lester's, where she was. 

Mr. Lanman said, may it please the court— I deem it my 
duty to call on CoL Halsey, who is associated with me in 
this case, as a witness. 

The court directed him to be sworn. 

Jeremiah Halsey , Esq. testified, that on the 11th day of 
October, 1818, he went to Elisba Geer^and I came there,. 
{This is false , the llth day of October ^ 1818, was Sun- 
day, and I preached in Hebron, and had not been in Gris- 
wotdfor more than a week; the llth day of October, 1817, 
was Saturday, and I was in Hebron, and on that day 
agreed with Mr. Bial Bliss to keep my horse, the next day 
was Sunday, and I preached in Hebron, and had not been 
in Griswold for more than a week.] He testified that 
then and there I denied that I had ever courted Asenath 
C, Smith ; that he never influenced Maria or her sister in 
any part of this case, any further than to promote public 
justice. [He had offered to settle it privately if I would 
give him $400, but it must not be known.] He testified 
that Maria had always told the same story, that she had then 
sworn to ; some one motioned to him to sit down, for the 
<eourt, and almost all present had heard her confess how 
many different stories she had told, and how she had con- 
tradicted herself on the subject. 

Mr. Lanman then moved to prove w y hat Asenath had 
sworn at the binding over, on the ground that it went to 
corroborate the testimony of Maria. To this Mr. Goddard 
objected, and informed the court that Asenath was then in 
town, and could testisy for herself, The court did not di- 
rect Mr. Lanman to have her brought and examined as a 
witness, but decided that it w r as not admissable to prove 
wmat she had said when she was there, and eould speak 
for herself. 

Dr. Downing was called again, and testified that from the 
pu trifled state of the foetus, he could give no particular de- 
scription of it ; he should think it might have been twelve 

12 



■ J 34 TRIAL, 

or fourteen inches long, &c. it might have been alive a 
abort time before, and that he never knew a woman to have 
hysterics when she was pregnant. 

Dr. Daniels was called again, and testified that he had 
practised physic about nine years, and had attended about 
eleven hundred cases of midwifery, {a large story ! 1 suppose 
in Virginia ! !) that he had never seen a case of this kind, 
nor a case where violence had been used to destroy a 
foetus ; he should suppose if injury had been done, it 
would have produced this effect from the time that Mr. 
Kogers was said to be shut up with Asenath to the time she 
was delivered. 

Dr, Mercer, sworn. [Mr. Lanman had given to Maria 
a paper folded up with something in it ; and he beckoned 
to her to give it to him before the court and jury without 
saying a word ; and he opened and gave it to the Doctor, 
saying, Do you believe that to be ergot ? This certainly 
was one of the greatest acts of injustice and abuse that 
ever was practiced upon any man, in any country -, there 
was no pretence of evidence, and it was not true that I ev- 
er saw that stuff before, or that I ever had it in my posses- 
sion : or that I ever saw, or had in my possession any thing 
like it ; might he not as well (to prejudice the jury) have 
brought into court a case of surgical instruments, or an 
apothecary's shop, and had them examined ? I do complain 
of abuse and injustice, and I appeal to the whole world, if I 
have not reason to complain ? Where is there a man or wo- 
man on earth who would not complain of abuse and injus- 
tice, if they were treated in this manner ?] The Doctor 
testified that he thought the paper contained a mixture of 
ergot and cantharides. By Lanman. — If violence is used 
to produce an abortion, how long would it be before it took 
place ? Ans. Sometimes immediately, or within a few 
hours, seldom longer than forty-eight hours. 

Dr. S. Perkins, sworn ; he testified that the paper con- 
tained ergot and cantharides, and agreed with Dr. Mercer, 
and then the testimony on both sides was closed ; and I 
have represented it fully and fairly against me, and for me ? 
as it related to this case, and as it was then delivered in 
court, on trial, (if it can be called a trial) on the informa- 
tion, according to my best recollection ; and according to$ 



TRIAL, 135 

my journal written at that time. No one crime charged 
In the information was true, nor proved, nor even attempt- 
ed to be proved by any witness whatever. I appeal to 
every juryman, I appeal to every person in the world to 
say, if from the evidence then delivered in court, any one 
crime charged in the information against rne, was proved 
by any witness whatever ; turn to the information, and 
then examine the testimony; who testified there in the 
trial before the court, that I had ever begotten Asenath C. 
Smith with child at any time ? or that I did produce in her 
an abortion, or use any means with her for that purpose ; 
or that an abortion ever was produced in her by any one ? — 
After all this smoke, noise, and trial, what evidence was 
there belore the court that any crime had been committed 
with her by any one ? 

COUNSEL. 
Col. Halsey, in a very awkward* clumsy manner, got up 
and opened the argument, by endeavouring to apologize 
for Maria and the negro, and to make it appear that they 
ought to be believed ; and although it did net prove the 
facts charged in the information ; yet it proved something ; 
and then taking it for granted that the charges were true, 
he undertook, without logic, rhetoric, or elegance, to de- 
scribe the enormity of the crimes charged ; when he him- 
.self had been accused of more adultery, of more seduc- 
tion, and of more fornication and debauchery than any 
man who ever lived in Preston; and I appeal to every 
person, manor woman in that town, for the truth of what 
I say. * 

- Mr. Cleaveland then'arose, and in a smooth, easy ad- 
dress, attempted to show that no crime charged in the infor- 
mation had been proved by any witness then adduced in 
court, and recapitulated the testimony, and said tbat there 
was no evidence before the court that I ever had been in- 
formed, or did know that the said Asenath was, or kad 
been like to have a child by any person, until long after 
the supposed child was born : That the Doctor himself, 
who delivered, her and who seemed in favor of the prosecu- 
tion, had testified, and it was in evidence before the court, 
tli at he saw no marks of violence upon the child, (if it 
y-as one,) or upon the mother, and that it might have been 



1 3ft TRIAL. 

produced by sickness, by accident or by infirmity ; and rW 
took it upon himself to say, that theie was no evidence be- 
fore the court that it was not produced in that way. He ther? 
showed the improbability of the truth of Maria's testimony. 
Would any mother, would any decent family, would Mr. 
Perry Clark and his family, have suffered any man to be 
shut up alone, night and day in a chambei, with fastened 
floors, and none of the family admitted into the room with 
this young woman, from Tuesday till Saturday , and no one 
say a word against it ? Would a mother have heard tht 
dreadful shriek which Maria had described, gone to the 
chamber, found it fastened, obtained admittance, seen her 
daughter lying on a bed, and Mr. Rogers standing and 
holding a sheet over her face, saying she had got the hys- 
terics, and he would take care of her, then go down and? 
leave them, all that night, all the next day, and all the 
next night ? the story is a lie in itself ! no mother on earth 
would suffer such a thing, ne- family would permit it ; and 
after all* the mother *T/J Maria herself, and all the family 
did, to Mr. Baker and Mr. Fry, in one instance, and to 
Esq. Cook and Mr. Rose,, in another instance, solemnly de- 
clare that they knew no- impropriety of conduct in Mr. Ro- 
gers ; that he had never been there courting, but only &h 
a clergyman and a friend ; that they never had any ex- 
pectation that he would marry the young woman ; and af- 
ter all, Maria has volunteered her service, and come from 
Massachusetts, for she was not obliged to come, to testify 
these disgraceful things against her sister, and in the very 
act of doing it, has sworn that she herself has told so many 
different stories, and has contradicted herself so of- 
ten on the subject, that she herself did not think her 
testimony w@tild be received : astonishing impudence I 
unspeakable depravity ! and are our courts of law to be 
insulted in this way ? will the jury place any confidence irr 
a witness of this cast ? [ O Dii immortales ! ubinam gentium 
mmus f quctm Rempubliccmi habemus !] i.e.- 0, Immortal; 
Gods ! what nation are we ? what republic have we? No- 
man ought to be condemned or acquitted on the testimony 
of such a witness ; and take away her testimony, what is 
there against my client ? The testimony of Sam the negro, 
if true, proves improper conduct^ but does not prove the 



TRIAL, 137 

charges in the information. But the question is, whether 
it is to be believed; Esq. Cook testifies that his master 
said he was a poor, lying, good-for-nothing fellow, and that 
he could not believe him when he was sent on a common 
errand — a fine witness to be brought before the Superior 
Court to destroy a respectable clergyman ! Mr. Brewster, 
who is brought here on purpose to support his character, 
swears he dees not consider him entitled to the first cred- 
it ; and is it probable that a clergyman would be seen lying 
in bed with an unmarried woman; in open day light, at sun 
half an hour high, with the door open — I ask you, gentle- 
men of the jury, is this probable r Is it true ? Well, take 
away the testimony of Maria and the negro, (which if ad- 
mitted does not prove any one charge contained in the in- 
formation) and what is there, I beseech you, against my cli- 
ent ? The. testimony on the part of the prisoner is conclu- 
sive. The young woman herself, her mother, and Maria 
fierself, her grand- father, and uncle Clark, and all the fam- 
ily have, in words and in writings at different times, and on 
different occasions, and to different persons and commit- 
tees, fully cleared him of these crimes now charged upon 
him, and of every other impropriety of conduct ; and nev- 
er did accuse him until 1819, two years afterwards ; this, 
i^entlemen, is in proof before you by the most indubitable 
testimony, hy James Cook, Esq. by Mr. Baker and Mr- 
Fry. If on the whole, you, gentleman 'of the Jury, from 
the evidence now before you, think that the prisoner at the 
bar is guilty of the crimes charged upon him, in the man- 
ner and form of the information, you will say so on your 
oath, and he must suffer the consequence ; but if you 
think that the evidence now delivered in court does not 
prove that he committed the crimes now charged upon him, 
and in the manner and form stated in the information, you 
will say on your oath that he is not gnilty, and he will be 
acquitted with honor. The foregoing^.are not the words 
of Mr. Cleaveland, but the substance of what he did say, 
and of what I think he should have said, if he intended to 
defend his client. 

Mr. Goddard then arose, and addressed the court in & 
sensible, elegant, and well arranged argument, recapitula- 
ting the testimony, and showing the insufficiency of the 
12* 

4H 



13® 



TfiIA l L. 



evidence to prove any one crime in the information, arui 
the sufficiency of the evidence to evince my innocence,; 
drawn from the repeated confessions of Asenath herself,, 
arid of the whole family, and the long time before the 
charges were brought,. He insisted on the injustice of ad- 
mitting the testimony of Maria after the confessions which 
she had then made in court:; and after her letter in her 
own hand writing, which was proved by Mr. Wiiioughby 
and his daughter; to have been written in my absence was 
read; in this she confessed that what she had testified in 
this case before Esq. Colt, she could not in conscience say 
again, that she had no reason to think the charges were 
true, &c. [why my counsel did not brings forward her depo- 
sitions before Denis on Palmer, Esq. page 107^ and before 
William Foster, Esq. page 109,7 have never been able to* 
learn.'] Mr. ©oddard insisted on it, that there was no* 
evidence that any erime ? as charged in the information, had 
been committed by any one ; and until that was first pro- 
ved, all other testimony was irrelevant. That the testi- 
mony of Maria ought not to be admitted in any case, and 
that the jury ought not to place any confidence in it; he- 
said expressly that no man ought to be condemned on 
such testimony, and that the negro story carried its own ref- 
utation in itself, for that no man in his senses would be in, 
t-hat situation ; his argument was cool, collected, fair and' 
dispassionate, and he submitted it to -the consciences of the* 
jury to say, if from the evidence then delivered in court, 
it was proved that any one -crime $ as charged in the infor— 
raation, had been committed; by me ; he said, if it was 
true, it was not proved; and he took it, that they aught to 
render a verdict according to what' was then in court pro- 
ved. If they could in conscience say, from the evidence 
then delivered 1 in court; that I had committed the crimes* 
charged in the infomation, they would say I was guilty, and 
the whole world would "say I ought to be punished. But if 
there was no such proof, and he thought there was not^ 
they would say I was- not guilty, and the whole world ■■ 
would say I ought not to be punished. The foregoing are •♦ 
not the words of Mr. Godtlard, but the amount of his ar- 
gument. 

3tr^ Lanman thesa arose to close the argument ; lie, was* 



TRIAL. MSB 

well prepared, and displayed all the art, all the sophistry f 
and ail the ability which he possessed ; he had told me in 1 
m many words, [that- he mas determined' to drive me out of 
the ministry and out of the state.] He had been to Eiisha* 
Geer's, about eight miles, and "closeted with Asenath C.- 
Smith from about two or three o'clock in the aftersoon^ 
until nine or ten o'clock at night, and had promised her 
honor, friendship, piotection, secrecy and safety, if she 
would swear these crimes upon me ; she consented and did 
.it* ; she was then confined and guarded night and day, at the 
widow Lester s in Griswold, from April till Sept. when she 
obtained permission to go- to Hampton, about 14 miles on- 
a: visit, and the very next day went before a justice of the- 
peace and made solemn oath that these crimes charged up- 
on me, relative to her were wholly, utterly, and absolutely 
false and unjust, and that she had heen cverpersnaded> 
and wickedly induced to* charge them, upon me falsely, for 
which she was then very sorry.. She had constantly and- 
uniformly adhered to this, and was then at court, in town, 
ready and willing to testify the same on trial. Maria hadP 
also confessed that she had taken a false oath against me 
when I was bound over; that old Halsey, Dr. Downer ?? 
and James Lanman had overpersuaded and hired her to do 
it;— she kad been before Denison Palmer, Esq. and made 
solemn oath, when I was not within 30 miles of her ; that 
sae had no reason to believe that the charges against me were 
true, her sister told hersoon after the death of her mother 
while she was confined at the widow Lester's, that the 
charges against me were not true ; that she was sorry for 
-what she had testified, and was determined' not to say it 
again, and wanted to leave that place. Maria had con- 
stantly, for about twelve months declared her full belief 
of my innocence of the crimes charged against me. Mr. 
Lanman had now- got her into his possession again, she had 1 
recanted and told the story which Kaisey dictated, Downer 
wrote,' and he and they had'induced' her to swear to and' 
which was false—but. he must now make the best of it. Af- 
ter an apology, and a profession of his pretended feeling, he 
related the story as it was contrived and laid out before the 
court of inquiry, of a young female, seduced by a clergy- 
arcn, begotten with child, poisonous portions of . ergot ad— 



140" TRIAL. 

r&inistered, a deadly instrument used, the child destroyed* 
in embryo, she languishing, sickening, dying; (not one 
word of which was then in proof before the court, not 
<*ne word of it was tree,) O, that he was made of a stron- 
ger texture! 0, that his nerves were iron ! In this way 
he arrested the attention of all who- were present : he 
weeps, he sobs, he wipes his eyes, and appeals to the 
feelings of humanity, he appeals to the paternal auction 
of every parent present, to the feelings of every mo^er, of 
every brother, of every sister in the world. The jury are 
all in tears, the judge himself weeps, and not a heart which 
does not burn with indignation against the wretch who 
would do -these things; they forget the testimony., they are- 
ready to catch at ever/ straw, they are ready to believe 
any thing; the testimony of Maria is then recapitulated 
and dressed in the most glaring colours, the negro story is 
repeated ; the hesitancy which was observed by Esq. Fos- 
ter is brought up and enlarged upon, and the swamp story, 
the dismal swamp story — horrabile dietu ! et amplius 
mirabile vjsu ! that is, horrible to be told, and more hot— 
nlble to he seen, was portrayed in the gloom of death. — 
In fact it appeared to me that Mr. Lanman exerted himself 
iri every way, per fas <Mnefa% L e. right or wrong, to 
ahswer his purpose. To beat, to come off conqueror, 
ould gratify the feelings of all my political, 
religious and personal enemies; of them he would 
m$p (he plaudit^ well done ; he would reap fame, honor,. 
renown-! to be conquered, he would be despised by alh* 
Towards the close of hi s plea, he wished to introduce Ma- 
ria before the court again, and it is thought that she under- 
stood the case. He stated something which he said she tes- 
tified about my coming there in the night and advising Ase- 
nath to go away ; my counsel objected, and said she did 
not say so. This afforded the opportunity he wanted of 
calling her again before the court. The case rested almost 
wholly on her testimony, and he closed with a few remarks 
that although there was no direct proof of the crimes char- 
ged upon me, yet the circumstances, (founded on the tes- 
timony of Maria and Sam) were sufficient to convince ev~- 
«ry person present that I was guilty, and he expected the 
jury would find me so. I do not pretend that I have re? 



J 



TRIAL* 14| 

peated the words of Mr. Lanman, but I have endeavoured 
to represent the manner in which I thought he managed 
this case; that he raised a frightful and pitiful image* 
which did not exist in truth or in evidence— that he mourn- 
ed and cried over it himself— that he called forth the sym- 
pathy and compassion of the court and jury, and excited a 
high indignation whereby they were ready to believe any 
thing, and to punish the least appearance of guilt, in this 
case, and to construe circumstances into the appearance o£ 
guilt where there was none. 

Soon after the pleadings were closed, I woid\ 
May it please the court — I stand here accused of crimen 
which never came into my mind, at which my heart re- 
volts, which are disgraceful and shocking to humanity ; 
and of which, Sir, I am absolutely as innocent as your hon- 
or the judge, or as either of you, gentlemen of the jury- 
The person, on whose oath I was bound over for trial and 
on whose oath I ought to be condemned or acquitted, the 
only person in the world who can be supposed to know 
and testify whether the crimes charged upon me be true or 
false, is now in town, and is ready and willing to testify^ 
my entire innocence, and to explain every circumstance 
on which even a presumption of guilt can rest upon me, 
and I now move that her testimony may be admitted and 
heard. By the judge- — Where is she ? Ans. Within a few 
rods of this place, and can be here in a very few moments. 
By the same — Why have you not offered her before ?— 
Ans. Because she was not my witness, but the principal 
witness on the part of the prosecution, and I did suppose 
(hat the court would require the highest evidence in the case y 
and that she must and would be called upon by the State's 
Attorney ; in that case she would have disclosed the whole 
plan and the means used to effect it. By the judge — I do 
not know, it is a novel case, you have had a hearing of two 
days, and you have had an opportunity of bringing her for- 
ward. Ans. And so has Mr. Lanman : if he had brought 
her forward, she could have told the whole truth and he 
could not have contradicted it. If I had brought her for- 
ward, he could have proved what she was induced to testi- 
fy at the binding over, and I could not impeach or contra- 
iUct my o\vn witness : and, Sir, in this way I am deprived 



142 



TRIAL. 



of the constitutional right of confronting the principal -wit- 
ness against me. By the judge, to Mr. Cieaveland— Have 
you any thing to say on this subject ? Ans. The counsel 
for Mr. Rogers have advised him not to bring her forward? 
but I should be sorry to have his interest suffer by the ad- 
vice of his counsel. By the judge, to Mr. I sham — I see 
that Mr. Lanman is absent, and you have been employed 
in this case, what do you say to this application? Ans. I 
am confident if Mr. Lanman were present, he would ob- 
ject to it ; and in his absence I do object. By the judge — * 
She cannot be admitted. — I then replied — I shall think it 
very hard to be condemned with the undeniable and irre- 
sistible evidence of my innocence by my side, ready and 
willing to testify, but rejected by the court merely because 
she was not offered a little sooner. Mr. Lanman introdu- 
ced Maria to testify after my counsel had closed their 
pleadings. By the judge — you have had an opportunity 
of two days to bring her forward, yon have not done it, 
and she cannot now be admitted. This is the substance, 
and in many respects the* very words which passed between 
me and the judge at this time. He had before admitted 
collateral testimony before the main facts were proved. — ^ 
He had refused to send for Lester Clark, who would have 
destroyed the testimony of Maria A. Smith, on which I 
was condemned; he had directed them to proceed in the 
trial while the papers and documents, which were deliver- 
ed in evidence to the justice at the binding over, were 
withheld and concealed. And he now proceeded to 
charge the jury in a manner, which I appeal to a candid 
and enlightened public to say, if it was not highly objec- 
tionable. 

The Judge then arose and said, 
Gentlemen of the Jury — The prisoner at the bar stands 
charged in the information, which you have heard read to 
you, with a high crime and misdemeanor. To this infor- 
mation he has plead not guilty, and has put himself on his 
country, which country you are, for trial; the case has 
been managed by able counsel on both sides. It involves 
no question of law about which it will be necessary for 
the court to instruct you. You will inquire in the first 
place if there has been a premature birth ; in the secondl 



TRIAL. M3 

place, if it was caused or done by the prisoner. If from 
the evidence which you have heard, you are satisfied that 
he is guilty — [he did not say, guilty of the crimes as char- 
ged in the information^ you will say that he is guilty. — - 
But if you are satisfied that he is not guilty, you will say 
he is not guilty. It is now late at night, and this court 
will now be adjourned to 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. 

These were the words of the charge so near as I can 
recollect, and certainly the substance of it ; and I appeal 
to every person in the world, if it were not diverting the 
attention of the jury from the inform atian, and placing it 
on the testimony of Maria A. Smith. There was no pre- 
tence of proof, except Maria, and her testimony in the 
minds of the court and jury ought at least to have been 
very doubtful, if not absolutely false ; she certainly could 
not be said to be a person of undoubted truth. 

Saturday, October 7th, 1820. 

The court met according to adjournment; the jury at 
about eleven o'clock came in ; I was called, and the jury 
were called over, and were asked if they had found a 
verdict; the foreman answered they had; the clerk ask- 
ed, guilty or not guilty ? He answered, guilty. — ■ 
Mr. Goddard then moved for a new trial, on the 
ground that there was no evidence that the crimes char- 
ged in the information had ever been committed by any 
person ; on the ground that there was no proof against me, 
which ought to be regarded. In both cases the court 
overruled, and would not grant a new trial. I did expect 
that he would have moved for a new trial on the ground 
that important documents had been withheld and conceal- 
ed : on the ground that Mr. Perry Clark and his wife were 
out of the state and their testimony could not be had ; on 
the ground that I had been deprived of the constitutional 
right of confronting the principal witness against me, and 
of compulsory process to obtain a witness necessary in my 
defence. He did take exceptions to the words of the in- 
formation, but here again the judge overruled. 

The court adjourned till one o'clock, then to, meet at the 
Judge's chamber, at Shepherd's hotel. At one o'clock the 
court was called in the Judge's private chamber. I appeared. 
The Judge said, you staid charged with a most heinous 



IJt4 TRIAL. 

offence ; the jury have declared you guilty. It now de- 
volves upon me to pronounce the sentence ; tins is a mat* 
ter of discretion with the court. I understand that you 
have children who are well educated and respectable, and 
I am inclined to mercy so far as is consistent with the wel- 
fare of society. The sentence of the court therefore is, 
that you be imprisoned in Norwich Jail, without bail or main- 
prize y for the term of two years, Lanman, the state's attor- 
ney, who had maliciously brought this prosecution, and 
was one of the three, that the witnesses say, had overpersua- 
ded and hired them to swear falsely against me, standing 
by, exulting and triumphing over his unfortunate and dis- 
tressed jpctirn, said to the Judge, I suppose you mean 
Newgate ; but the Judge, who had been counsel against 
me in the county of Fairfield, had opposed me in the con- 
vention of the Episcopal church, and was considered by 
me as my personal, political and religious enemy, and who 
in this very case I considered as having acted very unfairly, 
was yet more merciful, and said, no I mean Norwich. 

I then addressed the court in these words : 1 thank the 
court for shewing some degree of mercy, when it was in 
your power to have gone farther ; but that God, who 
kno*"vs the hearts of all men, knows that I am, as innocent 
of the crimes charged upon me, as your honor the Judge, 
or as either of the gentlemen of the jury, who have de- 
clared me guilty. I think that they have been misled, and 
have declared me guilty without evidence, and I know 
without truth. From the sentence now pronounced upon 
me, I appeal to the righteous tribunal of Heaven, there 
you and I must appear, and then it will be known that you 
have condemned the innocent, and that I suffer unjustly. — * 
In the mean time, I submit myself to every insult, to eve- 
ry abuse, and to every injustice, which can be loaded upon 
me. Much better men than any of us have suffered be- 
fore me ! 

I then settled my business at the tavern where I and 
my witnesses put up — committed my horse and carriage 
to the care of my good friend Seth Collins, Esq. got into 
a waggon with a Mr. Reed, was accompanied by a depu- 
ty sheriff, went to Norwich, about 13 miles, gave myself 
up to the Jailor, and was locked up, where I remained 



T&IAL* J 45 

^31 days, without ever putting my foot on the ground ; 
liaving the compassion of my friends, and suffering the in- 
sults and abuse of my enemies. 

Here I am, in jail, who have received the honors of one 
«f the first universities in America, who was ordained in 
Trinity church in the city of New- York, constantly a 
member of the convention of the Episcopal church in that 
state, three years a member of the general convention of 
the United States, who have preached with approbation in 
all the principal towns and cities in the northern and eas- 
tern states, who have enjoyed all the honors and degrees of 
freemasonry, who am now a member of the corporation 
of Union College in the city of Seneneetady, and was one 
of its first founders ; who was settled as a minister in my 
native town and state, without so much as one dissenting 
voice or vote ; who have performed more ministerial duties 
than almost any other clergyman in the United States, 
who have always endeavoured to give the best instruc- 
tions, and set the best example in my power, and to have al- 
ways a conscience void of offence towards God and towards 
man ! Because I thought it best for the Episcopalians to 
unite with the Republicans of Connecticut and vote for 
Col. Kirby to be Governor, and to do away the offensive 
presbyterian laws of the state, and that all denominations 
should enjoy equal rights and privileges according to their 
several capacities and stations ; I was forbid to preach in 
the state, without hearing or trial, and actually without my 
knowledge. I was sued nine times for not regarding that 
prohibition, was persecuted for more than seven long years 
in Fairfield county: I was refused a seat in the convention 
of my own church in the state, thougli they acknowledged 
and confessed that they had nothing .gainst me, that my 
character and authority were good, see page 40, but I was 
a republieanin principle, I was opposed to a union of church 
and slate, and had offered to change the laws and customs of 
the state, in taxing every body to support the presbyierlans un- 
less they would acknowledge themselves dissenters. $^Hdd I 
been a federal Presbyterian minister, my character would 
have been shielded,my person defended from all prosecution; 
yea, the plotters and abettors of this unparalleled persecution 
would have been held up to everlasting contempt ! But the 

13 



146 TKIAL. 

Judge himself, on my trial, had been employed as a law* 
yer against me, for many years in the county of Fairfield ; 
and for almost 20 years had been one of my principal op- 
posers — was prejudiced against me, and not fit to judge a 
case where I was concerned, if only one dollar was depen- 
ding, much less where character, 'profession, liberty and ev- 
ery thing valuable in life were at stake. My counsel did not 
defend me and my cause as I expected, and as they might 
have done ! i a combination was formed against me, I am 
accused of what never came into my mind : on trial I was 
refused the constitutional right of confronting the principal 
witness against me ; the court refused to send for a wit- 
ness in my favor, important papers and documents, the un- 
deniable evidence of my innocence, were, on trial with- 
held and concealed, and the court proceeded without them ; 
the judge did not charge the jury on the information, as I 
thought he ought to have done ; they declared me guilty 
on the testimony of a witness who had repeatedly confess- 
ed that she had taken a false oath against me, and who 
tlieii u\ court swore and testified, that she had told somaay 
differed stories , and had contradicted herself so many times 
e:i the subject^ that she did think her testimony would be re- 
ceived. The court refused a new trial, overruled all ob- 
jections of my counsel, pronounced on me a sentence of 
two years imprisonment in Norwich jail, and here I am in 
Affliction-, in disgrace, and in misery. 

O, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, my only 
help in time of need ; look down from Heaven I humbly 
beseech thee, behold, visit and relieve thy persecuted and 
afflicted servant ; look upon me with the eyes of thy mer- 
cy, comibrt me with a sense of thy goodness, preserve me 
from the temptations of ta^ enemy, give me patience and 
resignation under my sufferings. 0, that no repining 
ftiought may enter my heart to discompose me in my duty 
tovr ee my God, or towards my fellow men ; be 

pies Ties, persecutors and slanderers, 

and to turn their hearts; and O God, who spare th when 
wo deserve punishment, and in the midst of thy wrath re- 
memberest mercy, I numbly beseech thee, of thy great 
succour me, and all others who are under re- 
proach and misery in this or any other house of bondage ; 



teial* 147 

torrect tis not in thine anger, neither chasten us in thy sore 
displeasure: give us aright understanding of ourselves, and 
©f thy threats and promises ; that we may neither cast 
away our confidence in thee, nor place it any where but in 
thee. Be pleased to relieve the distressed in this and In 
all other places wherever they may be ; protect the ini-o- 
cent and make their innocency to appear ; awaken the 
guilty, convert the unconverted, and fill the world with 
thy glory. And, forasmuch as thou alone canst bring light 
out of darkness, and good out of evil, grant that the paint 
and punishments which we thy servants endure, here 
through our bodily confinement, may tend to the setting 
tree of our souls from the chains of sin, that when this 
mortal life shall be ended, we may dwell with thee in life 
everlasting— all which I ask in the name and through the 
merits of thy blessed son Jesus Christ, who for my sake 
became despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows 
and acquainted with grief. 

For about ten years I had been a settled minister in a 
county town, lived in plain sight of the jail and court 
house, and had thought it my duty often to visit those who 
were in prison, and to comfort the afflicted. It was not 
my business to add to the sentence of the law, and to neg- 
lect or afflict the afflicted ; it was enough for me to knew 
that they were sick or in prison ; I knew that often the 
innocent were condemned and the guilty went clear, and it 
was my delight and my business, like the good Samaritan, 
to pour the wine and oil of consolation into the wounda 
of a bleeding heart. Often have I preached to prisoners 
in jail; often have I seen the tears of gratitude flow from 
the eyes of those who had been edified by my instruction, 
who had received comfort from my sympathy ^ relief from 
my bounty, and consolation from my prayers ; but little did 
I think that I should ever be confined mvself ; little did I 
ihh1k.ih.2X I should ever need those kind offices of love and 
friendship which I had so often administered to others— 
Ci but he who is on the highest spoke in fortune- s wheel mm* 
noon be on the lowest , and the wisest knows not how soon J y 

Whoever will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer per- 
secution. Our blessed Saviour himself entered not into 
his glory until he had first suffered here on earth.— Read 



MB TRIAL. 

the 1 2th chapter of Hebrews — so our way to eternal glorf 
is to suffer patiently here on earth ; he was falsely accused, 
partially and unfairly tried, and unjustly condemned, and not: 
imprisoned only, but executed as a criminal, as a felon 
He was said to be not only a gluttonous man and a wine 
bibber — not only a friend of publicans and sinners — not 
only guilty of blasphemy, because he made himself God, 
and equal with God ; but because he thought to change the 
customs of the country where he lived. He omrihrew the ta- 
bles of the money changers, and said Chat they had made 
Godh house of prayer , a den ef thieves. 

The Sheriff was good enough, though very much 
against the wishes of Lanman, to give me the best room 
in the jail. The first day after my confinement I had my 
room thoroughly washed and cleansed. I soon sent for a 
joiner and had it repaired and shelves put up ; it was then 
whitewashed- ; a ventiduct was soon put in from the 
vault to prevent a disagreeable smell. My friend Collins 
brought me a hed. and bedding. I had table cloths and 
towels sent me- — table and chairs were furnished by the 
jailer— I purchased table furniture, crockery, glasses, 
&c— my trunks and books were brought to me— a paper 
maker sent to me as a present, half a ream of good writing 
paper ; and I was as comfortable as could be expected. 
My friends wrote to me from almost every part of Connec- 
ticut and from other states, and offered me any assistance 
which I might possibly want. I was permitted ta have 
the room entirely to myself ; the prisoners seemed solicit- 
ous not to hurt my feelings ; they? were attentive to my 
daily devotions and religious instructions; a change in 
their moral conduct and conversation was very observable ; 
no profane, no obscene, no unbecoming language was heard 
among them, and hei I staid two years ! 

Oa the night that I was committed, Mr. Baily, the jail- 
er, lost his wife by death, she was a woman to whom I 
had administered baptism in the church at Poquatanic ; 
her parents and friends belonged to that church, which 
had for years been in my care. I considered her death 9? 
great and sore affliction in addition to my other troubles and ; 
soon, the sense of injustice that was done me, the shock, the 
disappointment, the mortification,, the total change o£cireum>* 



? RI At.- 1 49 

ttances, from the very pinnacle of affluence, honor and enjoy- 
ment, to a loathsome, disgraceful and ignominious jail ! Good 
God ! what a change ! and the consciousness of my own 
innocence only added poignancy to my grief and I became 
sick, very sick ; a general debility, a violent pain in my 
head and eyes, a sickness at my stomach, a fever, and to- 
me and others the approach of death was observable. A 
Mr. Ives, who had formerly been a merchant of some dis- 
tinction, was committed on the suspicion of a crime, but 
of which he was ^acquitted, begged the privilege of my 
room, and it was granted. This was about the tenth day 
after I came here, and he remained with me about four 
months — during which time I recovered, in a great degree, 
my former health. To mention the kindness of one friend 
would seem to be a neglect of others. I was visited by 
people of the first standing in society, from different parts 
of Connecticut, and from other States — I performed divine 
service and preached through the grates of the jail almost 
every Sunday when the weather was fair, for two years- 
seats were built up on the side ef the fail and the congre- 
gationwas as large, as attentive and as respectful as could 
be expected. On Christmas, Easter and Whitsundays 
the doors were opened and I administered and'recefved the 
sacrament of the Lords supper — on Christmas eve's the 
jail was, by the bounty of my friends, handsomely illumi- 
nated and decorated with green bows and vines, in token* 
of joy and rejoicing at the birth of our blessed Saviour 
" who icas to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty 
to the captives and, the opening of the prison to them that are 
bound." [See Lsaiah Ixi 1 '.J 

The jailer at that time furnished good and wholesome 
food, and enough of it. The sheriff often called to see 
the prisoners, and to inquire of their welfare. Mr.. Gur- 
ley was now the state's attorney, and seemed to be sensi- 
ble of the injustice which was done to me. Mr, Goddard 
knew that I blamed him r and I have never spoken to him 
since my trialv * 
without ( 
ne-sSj 

Uncommon exertions were made to convince the public 
&at I was guilty and justly condemned : the newspapers 

13* 




150 IRIAL.. 

were filled with squibs and misrepresentations. Con- 
stance F. Daniels, cousin of Ira Daniels, reported, and Mr. 
Green of New London printed a misrepresentation of my 
trial —setting forth to the public what was proved at the 
binding overhand a great deal more ; and wholly neglect- 
ing to shew any thing which I proved at that time, reviling 
and reproaching me in riie most false manner, and with 
the most abusive epithets ! ! Illy would it become me to 
render railing for railing. To the said Daniels I would, 
barely mention the name of the amiable widow Wade, om 
whose money the poor wretch was supported and educated, 
jjo whom he had most solemnly promised marriage, but for- 
feited his word, and" honor, married another woman, was 
prosecuted and his poverty was his security — just such an. 
one as L an man might couple with Maria and Sam ! 

Maria A. Smith, after my trial, returned to Springfield" 
with Ira Daniels. He found that his friends had forsaken , 
turn, all his property was attached, he run away and was 
ring in some degree the distress which he had been 
endeavouring to bring unjustly upon me. She then re- 
tun ec to Griswold, despised and neglected by those who 
would have teen her friends ; she fled to the city of New 
York, where she remained till the summer of 1822, when. 
she returned again to Griswold, diseased and sick. After 
her recovery, she married a poor drunken fellow, by the 
name of Packer, who has been sick with the rheumatism in 
the hips, or thereabouts most of the time since ; and they 
now live together, in Groton, very unhappily) and in less- 
thsn one year he complained of her, to a justice, for the 
crime of adultery. 

Asenath Co &xnith, after the court, went home with Esq.. 
Collins to wait fir the next superior court in New London 
county, to be holden in the next January. It was expect-- 
(sd that J should then have a trial on the merits of the case , 
1 sent my petition to that court for a new trial, but on ac- 
count of informality, it was not presented. 

I petitioned the Honorable General Assembly of Con- 
necticut, in May, 1821, not for the pardon of crimes which 
I never had committed, but to be liberated from prison^, 
and to have all the records in this case destroyed, on the- 
groWd of my entire innocence of the charges ; on the 



ground that no one act charged upon me in the inforinatiocc 
had been proved by any witness whatever ; on the ground 
that the testimony of Maria A. Smith, on which I was 
condemned, and was suffering imprisonment, and the loss 
of all worldly comforts, was false, and ought not to be be- 
lieved ; on the ground that important witnessess, necessa- 
ry in my defence were out of the state, and their testimo- 
ny could not be had ; on the ground that important papers 
and documents, the undeniable evidence of my innocence 
were on trial withheld, and concealed by the states attorney 
— on the ground that the whole prosecution was a wicked-,, 
deceitful plan, contrived for party purposes; and carried 
into effect by means of the most dreadful, the most Heav- 
en-darmg perjury and subornation of perjury ! ! 

Benjamin Harris Esq. of Preston, testified that he did; 
not think that there was a person in Preston or Griswold, 
who was acquainted with Maria A. Smith, that would take 
her word, or her oath for one quarter of a dollar. 

Hon. Judge Williams oi GrotoB, who lived in the neigh- 
bourhood of the said Maria, testified that he did not think 
that any person who was acquainted with he^, ought, or 
would think the better or worse of anyone in consequence 
of anything that she could say or swear^; that the first time 
he ever heard of her, she was in a house of ill fame, hug- 
ging and kissing a married man, and that if the court and 
jury had known her character and the circumstances, they 
certainly never would have declared me guilty, or pro- 
nounced sentence against, me. 

The petition and documents were net read before the 
house; but referred to a congregational presbyterian com- 
mittee, who reported thai I have leave to withdraw my pe- 
tition ; and so I must suffer whether it be right or wrong., 
I employed no counsel, and I thought my innocence was- 
B@ plain that it was not necessary. 



152 in prison; 



CHAPTER XIV. 

To his Excellency' Oliver Wolcott, Esq. Governor of the- 
state of Connecticut, in Litchfield.- 

Norwich Jail, January 25th, 1822. 
Sir, 
Where as by the tenth section of the fourth article of the- 
sonstitiitiOii, it is provided, " that the governor shall have 
power to grant reprieves, after conviction, in all cases, ex- 
cept those of impeachment, until the end of the next ses- 
sion of the General Assembly, and no longer :" Now 
this is respectfully, to request your excellency to reprieve 
or suspend the sentence pronounced upon the undersigned, 
until the end of the next session of the General Assembly 
of this state, in order that he may cause to be laid before 
that honorable assembly the petition, which he now lays 
before your excellency, and the very same grounds, facts 
and representations therein contained, and set forth why it 
should be granted by them, he now lays before your ex- 
cellency, why this request of a reprieve or suspension of 
the sentence against him should be granted. He does not 
ask a pardon of crimes which he has never committed* hut he 
asks and requests a suspension of the sentence against him :- 
and that he may have time to collect his witnesses, some 
of whom resides out of the state, and at a distance of some 
hundred miles ; and that he may have time to prepare and 
to f defend himself in his own person, or by counsel, he 
humbly prays that the reprieve or suspension of the said 
sentence may take effect, so soon as is consistent with the 
judgment and pleasure of your excellency. And he here- 
by offers any good sufficient and satisfactory bonds and se- 
curity to any proper authority, should they he required, that 
unless his petition be granted, he will return and submit 
himself tc the prison again, on or before the time shall ex- 
pire which may be limited. And in complying with this 
request, your excellency will confer a great favour on one 
•af the most persecuted and injured persons that ever was- 
*k>ra in Connecticut. Amml Rogers. 



irf prison. 153 

To the Honorable General Assembly of the state of Connect- 
icut : , to be holden in the city of New-Haven, on the first 
i Viednesday of May, A. D. 1822. 

The petition of Ammi Rogers, the undersigned, humbly 
shewetli, that- on the 7th day of October, 1820, he was 
sentenced by the Honorable Asa Chapman, Esq. one of 
the judges of the superior court of this state, to be impris- 
oned in the common jail in Norwich, in the county of New 
London, for the term of two years. That the said sentence 
was founded on the charge of crimes sjid to have been 
committed with Asenath C. Smith, a single woman in the 
town of Griswold, in said county, on the first day of Juiy^ 
1 817, and in said Griswold, on or about the hrst day of 
November in the same year. 

Your petitioner now and hereby humbly prays the Hon- 
orable General Assembly to take his case into considera- 
tion, and to liberate him from prison, and direct all the 
records in this case to be destroyed ; or to grant him a new 
trial before an impartial and unprejudiced tribunal, or to 
grant him any other relief which their wisdom, their jus- 
tice, and their goodness may suggest. And this petition is 
founded on the following grounds, viz. 1st, Because he is 
wholly and entirely innocent of the crimes churged upon 
him* 2d, Because no one article of crime charged upon 
him in the information, was proved by any witness what- 
ever. 3d, Because the circumstantial testimony of Maria 
A. Smith and Sam, the negro, who were the principal wit- 
nesses, was false and otfght not to be believed. 4th, Because 
he was deprived on trial of the constitutional right of confron- 
ting the principal witness against him, &c. 5th, Because 
the crimes charged upon him were said to have been com- 
mitted in 1817, but neither the said Asenath, nor any of 
the family, ever did in any way or manner, accuse him 
until 1819, nearly two years afterwards, but had constant- 
ly charged the supposed child upon another person, and 
claimed that the premature birth was occasioned by sick- 
ness, infirmity and accident, &c. 

0th. Because his trial vms very partial, unfair, and not 
in the usual mode of judicial proceeding, in the following- 
particulars, viz. 1st, The judge himself was tee person- 
al, political, and religious enemy of the accused, and waa 



154 



IN PRISON.- 



prejudiced, having been employed as counsel against him 
in Fairfield County for many years, opposed him in the 
convention of the Episcopal Church, by attempting to car- 
ry into effect papers issued against him, by Bishop Jarvis, 
without hearing or trial ; and if he was not a member of 
the Hartford Convention, he was an advocate for their pol- 
itics, and could, and did exercise official power to gratify 
personal feeling upon your petitioner, than which nothing: 
could be more unfair, oppressive and unjust. 

7th. Because the prosecution itself was deceitful, being; 
instigated and brought with the ostensible view of punish- 
ing wickedness and vice ; but with the real occult in- 
tention of driving your petitioner out of the ministry ami 
out of the state — and to recall, if possible, those who had 
under his ministry left the federal congregational presbyte- 
rian politics and religion of Connecticut : that for this pur- 
pose Halsey and Downer went to the house of Elisha 
Geer in Griswold, staid all night, took the said Asenath in- 
to a private bed room alone, devised a plan of disgrace and 
distraction — one of them dictated the story on which 
your petitioner -was condemned and imprisoned, the other 
wrote i»:, and soon after Lanman, the state's attorney, came 
there, (eight miles) at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, 
was shut up alone with, her in their east chamber until 
nine or ten o'clock at night, and Asenath and Maria have 
made solemn oath that their said testimony was false, and 
that the said Halse}^, Downer and Lanman, did overper- 
auade and hire them to give it before the court. 

8th. Because the testimony of Maria A. Smith was ad- 
mitted after it was proved in court, and she herself did 
then and there testify and say of hers'elf, "I have told so 
many different stories and contradicted myself so often on tlte 
subject that I did not think my testimony ivould be received." 
fejpit your petitioner had been a federal presbyterian min- 
ister, would he have been condemned and imprisoned on 
the testimony of such a witness as this ? and without it 
there was not even presumptive proof against him. 

9th. Because his trial was unconstitutional ; in that he 
was not permitted to have a speedy trial, but kept from court. 
10 court for almost two years, was put under excessive bail, 
was put in jeopardy more than twice for the same supposed 



IN PRISON. 155 

offence, was refused the privilege of confronting the prin- 
cipal witness against him, and was refused a material wit* 
ness then within the jurisdiction of the court. 

lOth. Because the court admitted collateral testimony 
before any crime was proved to have been committed by 
any one ; and proceeded in the trial after he was informed 
and did know that important papers and documents, the 
undeniable evidence of the innocence of the accused, were 
in the hands of Lanman, and by him withheld and con- 
cealed. 

11th. Because Lanman, by permission of the court, did 
palm an infamous trick upon the jury, by causing to be 
brought into court, and examined before them, certain poi- 
sonous drugs and medicines, when there was no proof, nor 
pretence of proof, nor was it true, that your petitioner ever 
had it, or any thing like it, in his possession, or had ever 
seen it, or known any thing of it. 

12th. Because some important witnesses, whose testimo- 
ny was necessary in the defence of the accused on trial, 
were by stratagem, got out of the state, and their testimony 
could not be had : and others were detained by unavoida- 
ble, painful and dangerous sickness, and that he now has 
new and important evidence to prove his innocence of the 
crimes charged upon him ; — and on these and each of 
these grounds, your petitioner humbly prays the Honorable 
General Assembly of Connecticut, to take his case into 
consideration, to liberate him from jail and order all the 
records in this case to be destroyed — or to grant him a 
new trial before an impartial tribunal — or to grant him 
any other relief which their wisdom, justice and goodness 
may suggest. — And he, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 

Ammi Rogers. 

Norwich, January 25th, 1S22. 

To the Honorable General Assembly of Connecticut to be 
holden in New-Haven on the first Wednesday of May, 1822, 

I Asenath C. Smith, of Griswoid, in the county of New 
London, of lawful age, depose and say, [the same as in page 
106] and that the said Ammi Rogers never did have carnal 
knowledge of me, and never attempted such a thing — that 
he never used with me any drug or medicine, or instrument, 
or any other means whatever to produce in me an abortion — 



156 IN PRISON, 

that I do not know that he knew or had been informed that I 
was like to have a child until long after I was delivered, 
but by the advice and persuasion of certain persons, (Lam- 
man, Halsey and Downer,) in the year 1819, I went for- 
ward and unjustly charged that upon Mr. Rogers which 1 
had before justly and truly charged upon another man, and 
went further and accused him of that which never existed f 
viz. that I urns begotten ivith child by him and lost it by hi$ 
means, that the whole story was contrived and made up by 
them, but it was not true, and I now say on my oath that he 
is wholly innocent of these, or any other crimes or miscon- 
duct with me, and that I never should have accused him, 
had it not been for them and others,™ And further the de- 
ponent saith not. 

Asenath C. Smith* 

New-London County, ss. Norwich March 26th, 1S2&. 

Personally appeared the above named Asenath C. Smith* 
and made solemn oath to the truth of the feregoing depo- 
sition in due form of law before me. 

John Hyde, Justice of Peace. 

Perry Clark and Sophia Clark, depose and say tha£ 
Asenath and Maria A. Smith lived in the same house witf* 
them in the year 1817, and long before and since that time— ■ 
that they well remember that Asenath was in the habit of 
keeping private company with a young physician — that 
said Perry saw him come out of Iier bed chamber between 
break cf day and sunrise on or about the first day of July 
1817— that they have no knowledge or belief that Mr. Ro- 
gers was at their house during the summer of 1817- — that 
they well remember that in the summer and fall of that 
year Asenath was very unwell and feeble, and had fits, and 
particulaily on the week before she was said to have been 
delivered— that they personally knew that the testimony 
of Maria, or the trial of Mr. Rogers, was false, particularly 
as to his being shut up alone with her at their house, &e. 
(see page II r * —that they never heard of any such thing 
until ab^ t two years afterwards— that the mother of Ase- 
nath info, led Mas. Clark, who washer sister, that she nev- 
er suspeeU that Asenath was like to have a child, for she 
knew that x was not with her, as it is with women ir^ 
general when they were in that situation^ &c. &c A 



IN PRISON', 157 

'Subscribed and sworn in due form of law, in Norwich.; 
In the County of New-London, March 26, 1822. 

Before John Hyde, Justice of Peace. 

ZPo the foregoing letter und petition the Governor returned the 
following answer j viz. 

-State of Connecticut j Litchfield, February lltfi, 1822. 
Sir— 

I received, a few days since, your letter dated January 
25th, 1822, with a narrative in the form of a petition t, to the 
General Assembly of this State, to be convened at New- 
Haven, on the first Wednesday in May next. Your con- 
science must have informed you whether this narrative 
contains a just representation of your case. If it is false, 
you have greatly aggravated the offence for which you are 
now suffering imprisonment, and instead of reproaching the 
court and its officers, you ought penitently to admit thai 
the sentence of the Judge was as mild as he was justifia- 
ble in pronouncing. On the contrary if your narrative be 
true, if you have not been heard by yourself and counsel, 
af you have not been confronted by the witnesses against 
you, if you have been refused compulsory process to ob- 
tain witnesses in your favor, if you have not had a public 
atrial by an impartial j ? ary, or have been deprived of your 
liberty otherwise than by a due course of law, the Gener- 
al Assembly, to whom you address your petition, will ex- 
amine into yeur case, and doubtless adjudge thereon in 
such a manner, as an equal regard to your rights and the 
laws and the honor of the State shall require. 

By the Constitution of this State, u the Governor has 
power to reprieve after conviction, in all cases except 
those of impeachment, until the end of the next session of 
the General Assembly and no longer." If it is intended 
that reprieves should be effectual in any other than capi- 
tal cases, the law ought to provide a mode by which either 
the persons of offenders may be holden to abide the sen- 
tence of the law, in cases where pardons are not granted by 
the General Assembly, or that suitable forfeitures should 
be recovered in cases where such reprieved persons are 
not surrendered. No provision of this nature exists, alid 
in my opinion, any bond for that purpose would be illegal 

14 



]58 *n pRrsoir. 






and void. As the General Assembly alone can grant yo* 
relief, it would be useless for me to investigate the truth or 
falsity of the facts connected with your case. I can there- 
fore only express to you my sincere hope, that truth and 
justice may prevail. I am, Sir, your most obedient ser- 
vant, OLIVER WOLCOTT. 
To His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, Esq. Governor of Con- 
necticut } in Litchfield, 

Narwich Jail> Feb, 20th, 1822. 
Sir— 
On the 15th instant I had the honor of receiving your 
favor of the 11th, in answer to my application dated the 
26th ultimo, and now pray you not to consider me obtru- 
sive in this reply. My petition contains a plain, unadorn- 
ed narrative of the facts on which it is founded, and I 
knew no other expedient more respectful, or by which I 
could so well lay my case before your excellency and the 
General Assembly, and obtain my request. Had I laid 
my case open in the form of a remonstrance, or of a com- 
plaint, or of an impeachment of individuals, still the facte 
must have been narrated^ or they could not have been 
known. God and my own conscience bear me witness, 
that my narrative contains a just and true representation of 
my case. I have no pleasure in reproaching the court or 
its officers, and God Almighty forbid that I should do it 
any farther forth, than a religious regard to truth and jus- 
tice compel me. Your exhortation to a repentance of 
crimes which I never have committed, may be kind in the 
intention, but certainly is afflictive and grievous in its ap- 
plication. No punishment can be mild which is inflicted 
on the innocent ; and in this case, if the charges were 
true, to be confined in Norwich Jail, a living spectacle of 
reproach and disgrace, in the very face and eyes of all my 
friends and acquaintance, is worse than death or Newgate 
for life. I can truly say with the Roman orator, u qua?n 
jfubficam odium nullum supplicium est gravius :" i. e. than 
public hatred no punishment can be greater. Had your 
Excellency been pleased to give advice on a different but 
true view of the subject, it would have been a great favor. 
It is a solemn and very interesting truth, that I have be*n 
felsely accused, partially and unfairly tried, and unjustly 



SN PRISON. 159 

eondemned to irretrievable disgrace and ruin, with the un- 
deniable evidence of my innocence, excluded by the court, 
and cruelly and corruptly withheld and concealed by the 
State's Attorney, and perjury ! the most Heaven daring 
perjury ! a confession of which was then proved and ac- 
knowledged in court, was tolerated and allowed ! I mean, 
that after it was proved in court, on trial, and Maria A. 
Smith then acknowledged, that she had frequently and se- 
riously confessed, to different persons and at different times 
that she had taken a false oath against me before the Jus- 
tice "when I was bound over, and that she had been over- 
persuaded and hired to do it, the court admitted her testi- 
nony^&Tid evidently charged the jury, not on the informa- 
tion then against me, but on her story, which was utterly 
false by her own repeated acknowledgements, and by oth- 
er circumstances. It is painful for me to say these things 
of the judiciary of my native state and where I was edu- 
cated ; but my rights are as dear to me, to my children, 
and to my friends, as Judge Chapman's or Mr. Lanman's, 
or the State's can be to them ; and I should be under ev- 
erlasting obligations to the Governor for his advice on this 
view of the subject. 

I am suffering imprisonment, disgrace, and the loss of 
all worldly comforts, not for committing crimes with Ase- 
nath C. Smith — No, Sir, this is not the cause for which I 
am imprisoned, persecuted, and suffer the loss of all things, 
but my real crimes, my most heinous sins, are that I have 
dared to be a Protestant Episcopalian ; that I have dared to 
oppose a union of Church and State ; that I have dared to 
oppose any person's being by law taxed, and bylaw com- 
pelled to attend and pay money, to support that as God's 
truth which they did not believe to be true ; that I have 
dared to call in question the Federal Presbyterian politics 
of Connecticut, and to be a republican ; that I had ques- 
tioned the morality and infallibility of Bishop Jarvis ; that 
I had fully espoused the doctrine, that although Bishops 
were the true and lawful governors of Christ's church, 
yet if they did not govern Christ's church according to 
Christ's laws, and the established order of that church, 
fheir government was not binding: that no discipline, no 



160 



IK FRISOK. 



sentence, no administration of Bishop Jarvis, or of all the 
Bishops in the United States, is of any force or validity v 
unless it be founded on the previous steps required by the 
authority of God's word and the constitution and canons 
of his church** 

Another dreadful sin and crime m me is, that I have not 
any, even the least, confidence in the Leather Mitten Or- 
dination, under a string of which Mr. Lanman had theii 
recently enrolled himself, or in any other ordination which* 
is derived of human authority.* It was then, and now is, 
my decided opinion, that there is no ecclesiastical authori- 
ty which is not derived from God, and' that there is no civ- 
il authority which is not derived from the people. That 
no one can lawfully baptize, or administer the sacrament, 
or hold forth to a guilty world the terms of life and salva- 
tion in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the 

* When our forefathers first came to reside in that part of Connect- 
icut where I was-born* a settlement was formed at the mouth of Strat- 
ford river. On Sundays they used to meet for public worship, and 
sometimes one would pray and exhort, and sometimes another, as 
they felt disposed. They drew up a writing among themselves which 
they called a Church Covenant — they then thought it necessary to 
have a minister, and what made a minister was the people's choosing: 
liim, and his accepting the choice. If they could' make a minister 
they could ordain him, for it was more to make him than it was to 
ordain him. Accordingly they met and chose one Mr. Chauncy 
out of their number, who seemed to be the most gifted, and chose 
three of their brethren, viz* Mr. Prindle, Mr. Brimsmaid and Mr. 
Groves to ordain him. On the day appointed, they came from their 
labor with their leather-aprons and their leather-mittens on, which 
was a common dress at that time, and assembled in a. log barn at the 
south end of the point of land which had been cultivated. Each of 
the three made a prayer over Mr. Chauncy, put their hands upon his* 
headand told hira to take authority to be a minister in the vineyard 
of Jesus Christ. Mr. Brimsmaid put on his hand first, with his leath*< 
er mitten, on, and the other two followed his example, hence the Con- 
gregational Presbyterian ordination in Con. has always been termed 
the " Leather -Mitten Ordination," and it is a fact that most of the 
Presbyterian ordinations in Connecticut have been derived from the 
common people, Mr. Buckingham was ordained by the brethren of 
li is church, in Saybrook, in presence of the Council of Ministers, (as. 
thcycalled themselves,) and his ordination was acknowledged and 
received by them as valid — Mr. Prudden, of Milibrd, and others, wens 
ordained in the same way, and their ordinations were acknowledged; 
and they ordained others. (See TmnibulVs History of Connecticut, 
vol I, W$es 286, 264, #c. edition 0/1818.) 



IN PRISON. 16! 

Holy Ghost, without authority from God ; and that this au- 
thority ca-i he derived only two ways, viz. immediately 
from He c re i, in an extraordinary manner, and then we 
must produce immediate and extraordinary works to prove 
it, such works as no others car produce ; for God never 
requires his creatures to believe that which he has given 
them no reason to believe; or it mast be derived from God, 
from him who had all power in Heaven and on Earth, by 
a direct, uninterrupted line of succession. No one can 
lawfully act by authority of the State of Connecticut, or 
of the United States, without authority from them, and 
this can be derived only two ways, viz. immediately from 
the people, and then it requires immediate evidence from 
them to prove it ; or it must be derived by a succession 
from the regular constituted authority. Because a man or 
a body of men have the statute law of the State, they have 
not power to make a Justice of the Peace : end because a 
man or body of men have the Bible, they liaVe not pow- 
er to make a priest. It requires as much authority to 
make a justice as it does to make a law; and it requires 
as much authority to make a minister of God as it does to 
make a Bible. The civil and ecclesiastical authorities aie 
derived from different sources, and ought to be kept per- 
fectly separate and distinct ; and a union of these two au- 
thorities has caused more distress, more devastation and 
more blood-shed, than all the wars, than all the plagues, 
than all the famines with which the earth has ever been 
visited. I am also in the opinion, that the separation of 
our forefathers, not from the civile but from the ecclesias- 
tical authority of England, and the church of England, 
was at first very unnecessary and unreasonable, and that 
it is now the imperative duty of all, to return to the Epis- 
copal church. It is dishonorable to God and dangerous to 
the souls of men. to depart from the authority, the doc- 
trine, ana the worship of the universal church. Those 
things in which they all agree must be derived from tLe 
same source. 

In regard to experimental religion, T think it essential 
that the natural disposition of the human heart should be 
changed from ungodliness and worldly lusts, to the love 
aod practice of a sober, righteous arid godly life and coa- 

14* 



162 IN PRISON. 

¥ersation : but in. this case, as m all others, I think that 
no man or. woman ever acts wisely, except when they act 
reasonably. In short, 1 have opposed enthusiasm, bigotry, 
and; superstition, on one side ; and I have opposed infideli- 
ty, immorality, and licentiousness, on the other. And 
these, Sir, are my crimes : — these principles and this prac- 
tice have raised upon me a host of enemies, and have 
brought me to this jail, this place of disgraceful punish- 
ment :„ and were the truth of it. avowed, for it I could wil- 
lingly bum at the stake, I could suffer any punishment, 
here or in Newgate, or in any other place, and never should. 
relinquish till my soul should cease to exist. But to suffer 
as I do, under the false and feigned charge of crimes which 
never entered my heart, and which, for their foulness, 
would blacken hell, is the sorest, the heaviest, and the 
most grievous affliction, that could be laid upon me. Sir, 
I am a persecuted man. I. am not guilty of whet is laid to 
my charge, neither did it ever come into my mind. I am 
wholly ignorant and innocent of these or of any other 
crimes or misconduct with Asenath C. Smith, and I have 
no idea thai my persecutors ever thought 1 was guilty. 

Thai the governor should feel it necessary to put a con- 
strmtion on the' constitution of Connecticut vrb oily differ- 
ent from what I had apprehended, is to me, a source of 
disappointment and sorrow. That instrument was, in my 
view, a supreme law of the state, contrary to which any 
other law, if made, would cease to be a law : it would ip- 
so facia, he null and void in itself. By that instrument the 
governor has powe^fo reprieve after conviction in all cases 
?xeent those of impediment, but here is a case which is. 
m* by impeachment, ergft the governor has no power to 
reprieve in anv other than capital cases. This is a kind of 
teiewfeieb was not taught in Yale College when I had the 
U^nor of"ibei$g a member of that institution. 

l& permitted to collect my witnesses and 
mtations contained and set 



ri- 



tO prove ; Q repress 

forth in my beti * to disprove any tiling which may 

be sai^ against it* an investigation would be unequal un- 
fair and dangerous, as the character of falsehood might be 
I upon that which was strictly true. Ihough I ha*e 
allest confidence in your Excellency, in the Genera. 



IN PRISOff. IQ$ 

Assembly, and in the state, yet it must be evident that the 
honor of the state is deeply concerned to diminish the cred- 
ibility of what' I. claim in this case, of what I know, and 
of what, by permission of the governor, I could prove to 
be true ; without that permission I should doubt the expe- 
diency of laying it before the General Assembly in its 
present form ; it may be epitomized, and their attention 
confined to a few obvious facts, merely because I may 
not be permitted to prove or disprove any thing; but this 
would be doing great injustice to myself; nor did I ex.- 
pect the governor to investigate the truth or falsity of the 
facts connected with my ease, any farther forth than they 
appeared in the petition itself; and for this obvious reason,- 
that I could not he present to advocate or defend. There 
were only two witnesses in my trial who claimed to have- 
any knowledge of any improper conduct of Asenath C. 
Smith and me*. One was a poor, mean, lyings thievish ne~ 
gro^boy, whose master f declared that he could not believe 
him when he was sent on a common errand; that he pla- 
ced' no confidence in his story, that he had reprimanded 
him for it, and who only the summer before was actually 
•arrested for stealing. The other was Maria A. Smith, the 
supposed' sister of the said Asenath, who on trial before the 
court, made oath that she had told so many different stories , 
and contradicted' herself so often on the subject, that she did 
not think her testimony would be received; who also acknowl- 
edged raider oath before the court, that she had frequently 
and seriously confessed to different persons and in differ- 
ent places, that she had taken a false oath against me, be- 
fore the justice when I Was bound over, and who is now, 
this very moment, if report be true, supporting herself at the 
expense of her chastity in a common bawdy house in the 
city of New-York. To refer the Governor, or the Gen- 
eral Assembly, or any person in the world to such witness- 
es for the truth or falsity of any thing, I should be absolute- 
ly ashamed, and would not now do it, had not Mr. Lanman 
called them into notice, and improved them for the pur- 
pose of destroying an Episcopal clergyman, and a republi- 
can, by fixing crimes upon me which never came into my 
mind, and of which I am absolutely as innocent as the 
ministers of the upper sanctuary. Devoutry uniting in the 



164 



IN PRISON. 



hope expressed i hy your Excellency that truth and justice 
may ."prevail, I am very respectfully your Excellency'^ 
most obedient and very humble servant. 

Ammi Rogers, 

On the 8th day of October 1822, / was released from 
prison in due course of law ; after having remained there 
two years on the charge of crimes which I never did com- 
mit, and of which I never had been informed, or known* 
any thing, until about two years after they were said to* 
have been committed— and of which I have no belief or 
even suspicion that my accusers ever thought I was guilty ; 
after a note of more than §630 was extorted from me 
while I was in j. prison, on peril of my life and liberty ; 
against my strongest remonstrances, protestations, and ut- 
ter refusal ; after this money had been taken from the 
public treasury, (a great part of it) by Lanman and Hal- 
sey under the false and feigned pretence of paying wit- 
nesses, but which they converted to their own use and 
never did pay over to them. 

I speak and write without fear of contradiction, for 
proof is at hand. In this case I mention Eunice How- 
ard, Samuel Porrence, Socrates Balcome, Ephraim M. 
Williams, Lydia Williams, and others who have not re- 
ceived the money which was taken out of the treasury, 
which Lanman and Halsey have converted to their own 
private use, and whieir I was then called upon to give my 
note for. In other cases Lanman took $15 to pay Joel 
Loomis Esq, $10 to pay Capt. €lark of Lyme, and hun- 
dreds of others . but has never paid them. There are 
now residing in the county of Saratoga witnesses who 
knew nothing of the ease, who were dragged from home, 
were at great expense and trouble in going to cburt,in stay- 
ing there and in returning.— Money was taken from the 
treasury by Lanman to pay them, they have called for it, 
but he made some excuse and has not paid it to this day/ 
Is this, lair? Is it just? Is it honourable ? No! the whole 
prosecution has been false in the extreme, unjust, cruel and 
abusive in the highest degree ! In civil society we relin- 
quish our natural rights for the purpose of having our 
civil, moral and religious rights secured.; how far my rights 



GEtfEHAL ASSEMBLY". 165 

Itave been secured in Connecticut, those who have or will 
read the foregoing pages must and will judge. 

CHAPTER XV. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

The General Assembly of Connecticut convened in the citp 
of Hartford, in May 1823. 

On the memorial of Ammi Rogers , a joint Committee of 
both Houses was appointed to take his case into conside- 
ration, to grant him a hearing, and to report thereon. 
The Committee assigned the 27th and 28th days of May 
1823, for the said hearing and investigation, in- the Senate 
Chamber, and notice was given accordingly. 
^ Senate Chamber, City of Hartford, May 21th, .1323.' 
Present, Hon. David Hill, of the Senate, Chairman- 
Abner Reed, Esq. > Cmmittee . 
John Stanton, Esq. ) 

I, Ammi Rogers, appeared" and said, — 

Gentlemen — I do not come before you in- the strengths 
and power of Goliah of Gath, defying the armies of the 
living God ! but I come before you as a meek, humble and 
persecuted christian; and as a minister of our common 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Gentlemen, I complain, 
1st, That I have been falsely accused. 2dly, I have been 
partially and unfairly tried. 3dly, Unjustly condemned 
and imprisoned. 4thly, And a note of more than $630 was 
extorted from me in duresse, as the condition' of my liber- 
ty and life, to pay the expense of this abominable conspir- 
acy. May I beseech you to grant me a patient and can- 
did hearing, and to make that report which you can jus- 
tify before the bar of God, the bar of your own conscien- 
ces, and the bar of all assembled created intelligencers. In 
the first place I beg permission to read my petition on 
which you have been appointed to act. viz : — 



166 GENERAL ASSEMBLE 

To the Honourable General Assembly of Connecticut cow* 
vened in the City of Hartford, on the first Wednesday 
of May, 1823. 

Ammi Rogers, of the town of Hebron, county of Tol- 
land, and state of Connecticut, comes, complaint makes^ 
and says, That in Norwich, in the county of New r -Lon- 
don, on the 29th day April 1819, he was, by Farwell Coit, 
Esq. a justice of the peace in and for said county, bound 
over to the Superior Court for trial on the false and feigned 
charge of crimes, brought by James Lanman, Esq. attor- 
ney for said county, against your complainant, that he had 
m the town of Griswold, on the first day of July, 1817, 
&c. &e. with Asenath C. Smith : (see the information, 
page 94 and 115) your complainant says that he did, in 
open court, before said Coit, on the 29th day of April 
1819, deliver to said Coit and Lanman, as evidence in the 
ease, admitted by consent of counsel, and by them kept for 
trial, the following important papers and documents, (viz. 
see page 99 and 100) that on trial they were wickedly 
and cruelly withheld and concealed, and the court knowing 
tills, did proceed in the trial without them : (see page 126) 
and your complainant says that in the year 1817 he did 
not see the said Asenath from about the 10th day of May 
until about the 15th of September, that he never did at. 
any time of his life, have any criminal connection with 
her, that he never was informed and did not know that the 
said Asenath was or had been like to have a child until 
many months after she was delivered, {if she ever ivas de- 
livered which is very doubtful) and your complainant says 
that it was not until 1819, and then by the vilest arts 
and most unjustifiable means, that she was overpersuaded 
to charge that supposed child upon him, which she had two- 
years before, justly and truly charged upon another man, 
and which she said, if it was one, for| she knew nothing 
about it, was lost by sickness, by infirmity or by accident ; 
and your complainant says that he has been falsely accus- 
ed — partially and unfairly tried, unjustly condemned and 
imprisoned, and a promissory note of more than $630 to 

|>ay fte cost, has been unjustly extorted from him while 
le was in duresse, as the only condition of his liberty a^el 
perhaps of his life. — All which wrong doings your com- 



GENERAL ASSfiMBL*. I 6/ 

plainant says, that by permission of your Honourable Gen. 
Assembly, he can abundantly prove and he now and here- 
by oilers to do it by having time to collect his testimo- 
ny ; and now prays the Honourable General Assembly to 
take his ease into consideration, to grant him a hearing in 
the premises, to cause the said note to be given up, and i# 
grant such other relief as their wisdom and goodness may 
suggest, — and he as in duty bound will ever pray. 

Ammi Rogers. 

Hartford, May 13, 1823, 

The foregoing is truly extracted from the original on fik^ 
ns examined and certified by 
m Thomas Day, Secretary of State. 

The information of James Lanman was then read, (see 
page 115.) 

May it please the committee — I beg permission now to 
read the deposition of Curtis Hickox, Esq. to prove in the 
first place that 1 have been falsely accused, and that I was 
not within 100 miles of the person and place where the 
crimes charged upon me were said to have been com- 
mitted. 

To the Hon. Gen. Assembly of Con. in May 1823. 

I Curtis Hickox, of Washington in Litchfield county, of 

i lawful age, depose and say, — that Ammi Rogers was at 
my house in Washington, in Litchfield county, {about 100 
miles from Griswold) on the first day of July, 1817 — 
that I then and there paid Mm $40 in money and took his 
receipt in full of all demands ; which facts I afterward* 
•tated in my deposition which I made before proper au- 
thority, and gave to said Rogers to be improved in a case 
which he said was pending against him in behalf of the 
state, (see page 99) and which deposition I now say wa* 
true ; and that the inclosed, viz. " Washington, July lst v 
1817. This day settled all accounts and matters, of every 
name and nature, with Curtis Hickox, and received forty 
dollars, to my full satisfaction. Ammi Rogers," — is a true 
copy of the receipt which he gave me at my house, (about 
100 miles from Griswold) on that said first day of July 
1817, and further this deponent saith not. 

Curtis IJickox* 



168 



GE5EHAL ASSEMBLY. 



Litchfield Co. ss. Washington May 24th, 1828. 

Personally appeared the above named Curtis Hickox, 
Esq. who subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth 
<®f the foregoing deposition in due form of law. 

Before me, Youngs Elliot, Justice of Peace. 

General Assembly, May 1823, opened by me, 

Thomas Day, Secretary. 

By the Chairman — Was you charged in the information 
with committing that crime in Griswold on that particular 
iirst day of July 1817, or was it on or about that day ? — 
Answer. It was on that day and on no other ; and be- 
cause I was unjustly deprived of this evidence on trial, the 
jury falsely 4eclared me guilty, and by it I have unjustly 
suffered two years imprisonment. I then laid before the 
committee a certified copy of the original information in 
the hand-writing of Mr. Lanman, and also a scandalous 
and malicious book which Lanman had caused to be prin- 
ted, and in both the crime was charged to have been com- 
mitted on that very first day of July, 1817, when I was 
not within about 100 miles of the place or person, and had 
not been there that summer. 

Dr. Wells Beardslee and Homer Swift, Esq. of the 
town of Kent, made solemn oath, deposed and said, that 
in the month of April, 1819, they gave their depositions 
to the Rev. Ammi Rogers to be improved in a case which 
lie said was pending against him in behalf of the state (see 
page 100) that from the records of the Episcopal church in 
that place and other writings, and from their own recollec- 
tion they were certain that on the first day of July, 1817, 
and for some time before he was with them in Kent, (not 
far from Washington ) and that he teas not in Griswold. 

Subscribed and sworn in Kent on the 23d day of May, 
1823. Before John H. Swift, Justice of Peace. 

General Assembly May 1823, opened by me, 

Thomas Day, Secretary. 

May it please the Committee, — The depositions of Curtis 
Hickox Esq. of Dr. Beardslee, and of Homer Swift Esq. 
prove beyond all contradiction that I have been falsely 
accused, for that I was not within 100 miles of the town 
of Griswold on the first day of July, 1817 where and 
when the crimes charged upon me were said to have 



'GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 169 

heeh committed ; and this evidence was then in the hands 
«oT the civil authority of Connecticut ; but because I was 
an Episcopal clergyman and unfriendly to the religious and 
political establishment of the state,it was wickedly and cruel- 
ly withheld & concealed, and the court knowing this did pro- 
ceed in the trial without them. Will you, gentlemen, say 
that this wals fair, was it just? was it honest or honora- 
ble ? By Mr. Reed — What proof have you of this ? Ans. 
I have abundance of proof — Capt. John Townsend and 
James Cook, Esq. have made solemn oath, and it is certain- 
ly true, that they saw me deliver these papers, (see page 
99 and 100) toLanman and Coit at the binding over — that 
on trial in New-London, October 1320, they stood very near 
me and heard me call for these papers, (see page 128) that 
they were withheld and the cou^i proceeded in the trial 
without them. Will you gentlemen ! will the Legislature 
^of Connecticut! will any decent person in the world jus- 
tify such conduct ! ! and not only so, but extort from me, 
on peril of liberty and life, more than $600 to pay for this 
abominable wickedness ! ! , 

May it please the Committee — I wish now to introduce 
the testimony of Mr. Perry Clark, uncle of the said Ase- 
nath, having married her mother's sister, lived in the same 
house with them, and brought her up at his own table. — 
He is a man of good property — worth eight or ten thou- 
sand dollars ; of good moral character, and whose truth 
and veracity have not, within my knowledge or belief, 
<been called in question. On trial, he, his wife and son, 
were, by stratagem, got out of the state 9 and their testimo- 
ny could rot be had. 

To the Hon, Gen. Assembly of Con. in May, 1823. 

I Perry Clark, of Gr'swold. county of New-London 
And state of Connecticut, of lawful age depose and say, 
that in the year 1817 and long before and since that time, 
Asenath C. Smith and Zvlaria A. Smith lived in the same 
house with me ; that I do know that in the fore part of 
the summer 1817 and long before that time, a certain 
young physician was in the habit of coming to my house 
and of being in private company with Asenath C Smith ; 
I well remember that not long before he went his journey 
fc> the westward, which I think was in the month of JiJv 

15 



I/O GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

1817, lie came to my house and staid all night, and t per- 
sonally know that he came out of the bed chamber of the 
said Asenath at that time between break of day and sua 
rise ; [this w the very time when I was charged in the infor- 
mation with committing that crime with her for which I ham 
suffered two years imprisonment, when in truth I was not 
within 100 miles of her, had not seen her that whole summer, 
and never in my whole life had any improper connection with 
her. J And I depose and say that I have no knowledge 
that Ammi Rogers was at my house during the summer of 
1817, but well remember that for several months he was 
not there ; and I understood that he was gone into the state 
of New- York after his daughter, &c. - that in 1819, (two 
years after the supposed child) Col. Halsey and Dr. Ave- 
ry Downer, (father of the said young physician) came to 
my house for the purpose of getting the said Asenath and 
Maria to testify against Mr, Rogers ; that they staid all 
night, and took the said Asenath into a private bed room 
alone ; that the next morning I heard the said Halsey dic- 
tate, and the said Downer wrote the testimony which I 
heard the said girls give against Mr. Rogers when he wa* 
komid over ; that the crimes charged upon Mr. Roger* 
were said to have been committed at my house in 1817, 
but that I never did hear the said Asenath or any of the 
family accuse him in these things until 1819; (nearly 
two years afterwards) and I depose and say, that about 
that time, James Lanman Esq. the state's attorney, came 
to my house at about two or three o'clock in the afternoon 
and took the said Asenath into my east chamber alone, 
and remained there with her until some time in the 
evening when I called him, (he says about nine or ten 
o'clock at night !) that when he came out of the chamber 
lie told me that for Asenath to testify against Mr. Rogers 
(and not against George Downer) would be the best and 
most honorable thing that she could do ! that it never should 
hurt her or cost her any thing ! that she need not and 
should not be called upon to testify publicly, but only be- 
fore a justice and a few friends ! ! &c. &c. 1 testify that I 
heard the said Halsey and Downer give the said Asenath 
the same assurances at the time they came to my house 
and staid all night.— And I further testify that in the sun> 



GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 171 

?ner and fall of 1817, 1 well remember that the said Ase- 
nath was very sickly, weak and unwell, and had fits, and 
particularly on the week before she was said to have been 
delivered, and in one of her fits, she fell from her bed onto 
the floor, &c. — And further the deponent saith not. 

Perry Clark. 
New-London County, ss. Griszvokl, May 20th, 1823. 

Personally appeared the above named Perry Clark, who 
subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the fore- 
going deposition, in due form of law. 

Before me, Jedediah Barstow, Justice of Peace. 

General Assembly, May 1823, opened by me, 

Thomas Day, Secretary, 

The depositions of Sophia Clark, wife of Perry Clark 
and aunt of the said Asenath, and of Lester Clark her cous- 
in, were then read, in which they depose and say substan- 
tially the same as is contained in the foregoing deposition 
of Perry Clark, and particularly that Dr. George Downer 
did come there to see the said Asenath on or about the first 
of July 1817, that he staid all night, that he had been in 
the habit of doing so for two or three years— that they had 
ao knowledge or belief that I was there during the whole 
summer of 1817, or that lever did at any time keep pri- 
vate company or have any improper connection with her — 
that in 1819 Col. Halsey and Dr. Avery Downer did 
come there and stay all night &c. as stated by Mr. Perry 
Clark — also, that they never heard the said Asenath or 
any of the family accuse me in these things until that 
time — that James Lanman did come there and was shut up 
alone with her in their east chamber as stated by Mr. 
Clark — that they do know and well remember that in the 
summer and fall of 1817 the said Asenath was very sick- 
ly, weak and unwell, and had fits, and on a certain time 
had fits and fell from the bed onto the floor. 

Subscribed and sworn in Griswold on the 20th day of 
May 1823, before 

Jedediah Barstow, Justice of Peace. 
Genera! Assembly 1823, opened by 

Thomas Day, Secretary. 

Asenath Caroline Smith, the principal witness, was then 
called- and sworn by the chairman, in the presence of a 



i?2 



GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 



great concourse of people who had assembled in the £fe?s^ 
ate Chamber, in the city of Hartford, to- hear this extraor- 
dinary case. She is a young woman- about twenty-six 
years of age, of a good figure, though rather small, very 
handsome, dressed well, appeared well, and had more 
learning than most young women of her circumstances- 
By the Chairman- — Miss Smith, you are now under the so- 
lemnity of an oath; you will please to testify what you 
know in this case. Answer.— Mr. Rogers is not guilty 
of what is charged against him concerning me. He nev- 
er did have carnal knowledge of me, either before cr since 
his trial, and never has offered to me any thing of the 
kind. Before this misfortune happened to me I had for 
two or three years kept private company with a young 
physician; but I do not wish to implicate others — Mr.- Ro- 
gers is innocent ; and I never should have accused him had: 
it not been for Col. Halsey, Dr. Downer and Esq. Lan- 
man. They overpersuaded and hired me to say what I 
did against Mr. Rogers when he was bound over, and 
it was not true ! !• Here she burst into tears ! and there 
was hardly a person in the Senate Chamber, who did not 
weep. — After a few moments Mr. Stanton said to her y 
Did you not once swear that it was true ? Ans. I suppose* 
I did ; but I now, with sorrow and shame, confess that it 
was not true, audi never should have said it Lad it not 
been for them ! By Mr. Stanton— Does not your conscience 
upbraid you r Ans. Yes,sir,my accusing Mr.Rogers wrong- 
fully as I did, has caused me more sorrow, tears and trouble,, 
than all that I have ever said or done besides ; and my 
coming here of my own accord, (fori was riot obliged t(f* 
come and testify against myself) is an evidence of my sin- 
cerity. — [Here followed a long and particular exdmntgioA 
by the Chairman and Mr. Reed, in which she fully cleared 
me of every crime or misconduct with her, or ui'ikin her 
knowledge, and then handed to the Chairman the following 
letter which she had written to the church in Hebron, and 
which she said would more M\j explain her conduct, viz.] 
To the Episcopal Church in Hebron. 

October 5th, 1819. 
With shame and confusion I presume to address you, 
by the silent language of a pen, and. it is humbly to con- 



GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 173 

fess my fault, and earnestly to ask your forgiveness. I 
think it is my duty to say that Mr. Rogers is certainly 
and absolutely innocent of what has been laid to his charge 
concerning me, and I certainly have been overpemiaded 
and induced by Col. Halsey, Dr. Downer and others, to 
testify and say that against Mr. Rogers which was very 
unjust and wrong, They assured me that he was on im- 
portant character, a cunning, artful man, and one that the 
Eishop and Clergy w r ere against, and if I would tes iiy 
against him it would be more for my honor, it should never 
hurt me, it should never cost me any thing, &c. — that I 
should, be protected, that the whole town would pity me 
and be sorry for me, that all his enemies \ rould become my 
friends, and that my character would be better than ii ev- 
er was, for everybody would take my pan, would receive 
me into company and treat me wUh respect,— and, that I 
should be respected by all my acquaintance. But if I did 
not doit, — my father was dead, my mother was very like 
to die; I had no brother to take my part, (George Dow- 
ner was gone to the Ohio and would never return) I should 
be hated and despised by ail my acquaintance and by ev- 
erybody. — Col. Halsey and Dr. Downer came to our house 
and staid all night. Dr. Downer took me into a bedroom 
alone, and there talked to me, he said as a fi d ad- 

vised and overpersuaded me to lay my misfortunes; not to 
his son ; but to Mr. Rogers, and then for th 
sented to do it, which was in March or April 1S19, Col, 
Halsey dictated what they wanted me to say, and Dr. 
Downer wrote it, and they overpersuaded iv.: to agree to 
it and to testify to it, when they knew imd I knew that it 
was false. Mr. Lanman came to our house and I 

nine or ten o'clock at night, he took me into our east i 
ber alone, and though he said it would not do for him, in 
his office, to advise, yet he would say it woul ; be the best 
and' most honorable thing that I could do to 1 jainst 

Mr. Rogers. He gave me his word and his honor that it nev- 
er should hurt me or cost me any thine, and that I st 
be protected , at length I confess I was o vei powered & over- 
persuaded to say and to do what I did, and for which I am 
WW sincerely sorry, and humbly ask forgiveness of God, o£ 

15* 



174 



GENERAL ASSEMBLY; 



Mr. Rogers, and of you.. If there is any excuse or pallia- 
tion forme or my conduct, I pray you to consider it, &e. 

Asenath C. Smith. 

By the CKairtnan—Bo you swear that this letter just 
read is in your handwriting, and that it was composed by 
jou? Ans. I do. By the same— Are the facts contained 
in this letter true ? Ans. They are. By the same— Was 
it written of your own accord, and without the agency or 
assistance of any one. Ans. It was, and I did it because I 
thought it my duly. 

May it please the Committee — I wish now to introduce 
the testimony of Br. E. B. Downing who says, — I depose 
and say, 1st, That I delivered Asenath C. Smith of a dead' 
fetus in Griswold, &c. 1817. 2d, That I did not discov- 
er any mark of violence upon it or its mother. 3d, That 
it might have been produced by sickness, by infirmity, or 
by accident. 4th, That I never saw Mr,, Rogers at the 
house of Elisha Geer but once, and that was when Mr., 
Perry Clark was taken sick and sent for me. 5th, That 
I- do not know that Mr. Rogers was in or about Griswold 
when Asenath was delivered, [I do not believe she ever 
was delivered.] Gthy That I do not know that he had any 
agency in procuring a premature birth, or that it was pro- 
duced by violence. 7th, That I do not know that he was 
informed or did- know that she was or had been like to* 
have a child until long after she was delivered. 8th, That 
at the time she was delivered I did not hear the said Ase-- 
nath nor any of the family mention the name of Mr. Ro- 
gers or any thing relating to him,— And further the de- 
ponent saich not. Bleaker B. Downing. 

. Subscribed and sworn in due form of law, in Preston, 
May 1 9th, 1823, 

Before Brnison- Palmer, Justice of Peace. . 

General Assembly, May 1823, opened by 

Thomas Day, Secretary. 

The Committee adjourned till to-mcrrowat one o'clock 
P. M. ' 

Mart ford, May 2Si% 1823. 

The Committee met according to adjournment. I, ap- 
peared and said, Gentlemen — I beg permission to read the* 
fournal of the proceedings in this ease on yesterday— 



GENERAL ASSEMBLE. 175 

which I did : and then said, I come now to inquire more 
particularly into the conduct of Asenath, and wish to ask 
her some questions. — She was called, — I said, Asenath, 
yesterday you solemnly testified under oath, before God and 
this Hon. committee ,that the charges against me in the infor- 
mation concerning you were false — that Col. Halsey, Dr. 
Downer, and Esq. Lanman, had overpersuaded and hired 
you to testify as you did against me when I was bound 
over, that it was not true, and that you never should have 
said it had it not been for them : Do you now swear that 
what you then testified was true ? Ans. I do. Do ycu 
say on your oath that the information against me concerning^ 
you, on which I was declared guilty, and have suffered 
two y errs imprisonment, is false ? Ans. I do. Is my pe- 
tition which is now before this Committee, and which you 
have heard read, m far as it relates to you, and so far as 
your knowledge extends, true or false ? Ans. It is true. 

May iP please the Committee— I wish now to read the 
deposition of Mr. Perry Clark, Curtis Hickox Esq. and 
others.— And I read them in support of the testimony 
which A senath has now given, and in support of the truth •■ 
of the foregoing letter to the Church in Hebron. 

Mr. Reed then introduced a BOOK, containing a false 
report of my trial, printed by Mr. Green in New-London, 
IS20, and said that the testimony of Maria A. Smith was 
so correct and circumstantial that it seemed as if it must 
be true. I replied, \ deny that she ever did testify as is 
contained and set forth in that Book ; and let me ask, who 
says she did ? Ans. the book, I ask, who is the author of that 
book ? Who says it is true ? Ans. I do not know, it is 
publish id. Yes Sir, and a great many falsehoods are 
published, and even sanctioned by our Courts of law. But 
to this book I have seventeen objections which I have 
here in writing, and which I now beg leave to read. In 
the first place, this book is a bastard, it has no father, 
there is no decent person on earth who would not be 
ashamed to own it, — no one has pat his name to it! or 
pledged himself for the truth of it ; and will this commit- 
tee receive it as evidence ? I say secondly, This book con- 
tains a false report of my trial. By Mr. Hill — You have 
no proof cf that. Yes Sir, I have abundance of proof 



I76T 



General assembly. 



Capt. John Townsend, James Cook Esq. & Mr. Eiioe 5 n' Bi- 
ker have made solemn oath, and here it is, that they were 
present when I was bound over, and at the trial ; that they 
nave read the book, and that they personally know it to be 
false and malicious. I read my objections and the book 
was ruled out, and ivas not admitted as evidence. But ¥ 
shall have occasion to speak more of this book in another 
place. 

May it please the Committee— I wish to turn your atten- 
tion more particularly to the trial which I was very partial 
and unfair. 

Capt, John Townsend of Hebron, Tolland County, Con. 
#f lawful age, deposeth and saith, that he was present at 
the trial of Ammi Rogers, in New-London j- 1820 — that on 
trial he heard him cail upon Esq. Coit for the papers that 
were delivered to him at the binding over, as evidence in 
the case, (see page 99 and 100) that they were withheld 
and concealed, and the Court directed tht Counsel to pro- 
ceed in the trial without them—tbM he stood very near said 
Rogers on the trial when the said papers were called for— • 
that there were among others depositions from Washington j 
and Kent, and the certificate of ETisha Geer and family^ 
&c. — that so soon as the pleadings mere closed, Mr. Ro- 
gers moved to introduce the principal witness and was re- 
fused- by the court, (see page 141) that in October last he 
went to : Norwich after said Rogers when the time of his 
imprisonment had expired, that the state's attorney came 
into the prison and presented Mm a note to sign, as the con- 
dition of his liberty — that he remonstrated in warm terms, 
and refused to sign it-^-tha: the attorney went off, ...appa- 
rently in anger, and said he might lie in jail — that by the 
interference of himself and Esq. Stewart said Rogers con- 
sented to sigh it, but at the same time said it was perfect- 
ly unjnst 5 and that he would do it only to obtain his liber--. 
ty and to save his life, and towards evening did sign the . 
note in prison and came out. John Townsend. 

Tolland County, ss. Coventry, May 26th, 1823. 

Personally appeared the above named Capt. John Towns- . 
end who subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of" 
&e foregoing deposition in due foraa of law. 

Eefo&e- me, Isaiah DagoetTj Justice of Peace « , 



GENERAL ASSEMBLY, J 77 

By the Chairman— -what is the character of this witness £ 
Ans. I am not trifling, nor shall I ever, knowingly, impose 
*pon any one by false or discreditable witnesses. Here is- 
Ralph Gilbert, Esq. a respectable attorney at law in He- 
bron, I wish he would testify what he knows relative to' 
the character of this witness. 

Ralph Gilbert, Esq. testified that Capt. Townsend now 
is and for some time past has been one of the select-men of 
Hebron ; he is a man of good moral character, much res- 
pected in the town, and whose truth and veracity I never 
have heard impeached ; and I believe him to be as much, 
to be depended upon as any other man, 

James Cook, Esq. of Preston deposes and sajs that he- 
was present at the court of inquiry in the case ot the state 
against Ammi Rogers, that he distinctly recollects that said 
Rogers delivered to Esq. Coit, the justice at that time, a 
number of papers and documents, admitted by consent of 
counsel as evidence in the case {viz. here he stated what they 
were, see pag& 99 und 100) that he was present at the trial- 
in New London 1820, and heard the said Rogers call upon 
said Coit for those papers, that he refused to give them up 
without the order of the court, that the court directed them 
to be given up, that they were withheld and that the court 
proceeded in the trial without them—thzl the character of 
Maria A. Smith, now Maria A. Packer, and Sam the ne- 
gro, who- were the principal witnesses in the trial of said 
Rogers, were not equal to that of people in gemi'din point 
of truth and veracity.. 

Subscribed and sworn in Preston, May 19th, 1823, in* 
due form of law, before 

Denison Palmer, Justice of Peace.. 
General Assembly, May 1823, opened by me 

Thomas Day, Secretary: 

Denison Palmer, Esq. of Preston, deposeth and saith, 
that in the month of September 1819, Maria A. Smith came 
before him and made solemn oath, that she had no reason 
to think that the charges against the Rev. Ammi Rogers, 
concerning her sister were true, that she never heard her 
accuse Mr. Rogers until after Mr. Lanman, Col. Halsey, 
and Doct. Downer came there and overpersuaded her, and. 
told her it would be more for her honor and credit, and* 



118 



GETORA'L ASSEMBLY. 



iaid they would pledge their lives that she never should be 
Inarmed if she would la| her child to Mr. Rogers; that 
they went into a bed rcfom and held a lengthy conversation 
with Ascenath, and wl^en they came out, siie heard her say 
for the first time, (and that' was about two years after it 
was supposed to have bcsen bom) that the child was Mr. 
Rogers's and went on with other accusations which she 
never heard before— that the character of Sam, the negro ? , 
a principal witness rn the trial of Mr. Rogers, was not then* 
and is not now, that of a man of truth and veracity. 

Subscribed alid sworn4n due form of law in Preston, 
May 19th, 1823, before me, 

James Cook, Justice of Peace. 

General Assembly ', May 1823, opened by me, 

Thomas Day, Secretary. 

John C. Baker, of Griswold, testified that he was pres- 
ent at the trial of Mr. Rogers 1820, that Lester Clark of 
Griswold, who had just returned from the state of New 
Fork, desired him to inform Mr. Rogers,that he had retur- 
ned, that he knew that which would destroy the testimony 
of Maria A. Smith, that if he would send for him, he 
would come and do it, The deponent says he did inform. 
Mr. Rogers while he was on trial ; that he heard him apply 
to the court to send for said Clark, stating that he was u ma- 
terial witness , — that as he was then on trial, it was out of his 
power to send himself; that the court wholly refused, and 
went on m the trial without him. The deponent says that 
the character of Maria A. Smith, and Sam the negro, the 
principal witnesses in the trial of Mr. Rogers, was not 
then, and is not now, equal to that of mankind in general, 
in point of truth and veracity. 

Subscribed and sworn in due form of law, in Griswold 
May 16th, 1823, before 

Jedediah Barstow, Justice of Peace., 

General Assembly 1823, opened by me, 

Thomas Day, Secretary 

Capt. E. M. Williams,, of Groton, made solemn oath 
that he heard Maria A. Smith, in speaking of the trial of 
Mr. Rogers, say, that in some things she was mistaken in 
what she testified against him ; and in other things she lied, 
mid a He never had cfipaked her and did not choak her then*- 



"GENERAL ASSEMBLY. J 73 

Mr. Samuel Thayer made solemn oath that he heard 
Maria A. Smith say to me, (just before the trial in New 
London, and on being by me reproved for lying,) well, I 
do not care, I know I have lied, and I will lie, and I 
•have lied before the court, and I will again if I have a 
mind to, and you cannot help yourself! 

May it please the Committee — M aria A. Smith, the prin- 
cipal witness against me on trial, and on whose testimony 
the jury, by the direction of Mr. Lanman and the court, 
declared me guilty, first united with all the family and sol- 
emnly declared to James Cook, Esq. and Mr. Rose, that I 
was w 7 holly innocent of these crimes now falsely charged 
upon me, and of all other impropriety of conduct at their 
house. 2dlv, She and all the family signed and gave a 
certificate to that amount, (See page 88). 3dly, She and 
all the family did again fully clear me of any crime or 
jnisconduct with the said Asenath, or at their house, to 
.Mr. Baker and Mr. Fry. 4th, She then went before 
Esq. Coit, at ihe Court of Inquiry, and made solemn 
•oath against me, not of crime, but of very improper con- 
duct. 5th, She confessed to me, in presence of Mr. Les- 
ter Clark, that she knew, and I knew r , and God knew, 
<that what she had testified against me before Esq. Coit, 
was all a lie. 6th. She went to Mr. Baker- s, wished to speak 
with him alone, and there, in conversation, told him the 
same and said she should never say it again. 7th. She 
then w r ent before Denison Palmer, Esq. and made solemn 
oath that she could not in conscience testify against me 
again, as she did when I was bound over ; that she never 
had reason to think that the charges against me were true , 
(see page 107). 8th. She wrote to Mr. Lanman that his 
charges against me were false and that he kneio it. 9th. 
She confessed to Miss Willoughby that she had taken a 
false oath against me when I was bound over, and 
that old Halsey, Doct. Dow r ner, and James Lanman had 
overpersuaded and hired her to do it, (see page 130.) — 
10th. She at another time made the same confession to 
Mr. J. R. Willoughby, and offered to go before the Su- 
perior Court and swear to it. 11th. At another time she 
declared the same to Capt. Townsend. 12th. At another 
time she declared the same to Mr.Houghton,(see page 130.) 



180 



'GENERAL ASSEMBLE 



13th. At another time she went before W. Foster esq. wrot<? 
fy made solemn oath that she could not in conscience testify 
again as she did at the binding over, that she had no reason 
to believe that the charges against me were true. 14th- 
She came before the court at New-London, and on my 
trial made solemn oath and testified that she had told so 
many different stories, and contradicted herself so many 
♦times on the subject that she did not think her testimony 
would be received. The Court did receive it, false as it 
was ! and charged the jury to inquire, not if the crimet 
against rne were true as charged in the information 
but, being my personal enemy, turned their attention to the 
circumstantial testimony, contrived by Halsey, Lanman 
and Downer, and then sworn to by Maria A. Smith, and 
on it, false and improbable as it was, I was declared guilty 
and imprisoned ! and I now appeal to you, Gentlemen of 
the Committee — -I appeal to the Honourable General As- 
sembly of Connecticut — I appeal to the whole world ! was 
it just ? was it fair ? was it honourable ? But I wish to- 
introduce cue witness more. 

Mr, Lexis Collins, who is a very respectable man, and 
keeps a respectable tavern in Chester village, Mass. made 
solemn ©ath, deposed and said, that he heard Maria A. 
Smith say, (on being reproved for lying and false swear- 
ing) Well, I do not care, 1 know I have lied, and lied 
under oath, and my oath is good for nothing, and I am glad 
of it, for it is a nasty, dirty case and I do not want to have 
any thing to do with it. 

Subscribed and sworn in due form of law in Chester, 
December ith, 1822, before 

William Wade, Justice of Peace. 

7, Pek'.' Rase of Groton, and county of New London, of 
lawful age, depose and say, that I was present at the bind- 
ing over of the Rev. Ammi Rogers in April 1819, and 
stood near him, that I saw him deliver to Farwel Coit, 
Esq, and James Lanman, a number of papers and docu- 
ments, among which I well remember were the depositions 
of gentlemen from Washington and Kent in Litchfield coun- 
ty, and also a deposition of Ascenath C. Smith, and her 
ktter to Jame3 Cook Esq. in which she had charged her 
supposed child upon another man, and had entirely exone- 



«EN£&AL ASSEMBLY. 18 ! 

Pated Mr. Pogers of all improper conduct with her or with- 
in her knowledge, [see page 99 and 100 which papers he 
distinctly remembers were delivered to the justice and Land- 
man at that time, were kept by them for the trial, and on 
trial were called for ; but wickedly and corruptly withheld 
and concealed and the court directed the counsel to pro. 
ceed in the trial without them,] and I testify that the 
character of Maria A. Smith and Sam Wheeler,* the black 
boy, w r ho were principal witnesses in the trial of Mr. Ro- 
gers, were not at that time on a par with people in general 
in point of truth and veracity, and further saith not. 

Peleg Rose. 
New London County, ss. Grot on. May 19, 1823. 
Personally appeared the above named Peleg Rose, who 
subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the fore- 
going deposition, in due form of law, before me, 

Palmer Hewett, Justice of Peace, 
General Assembly May 1823, opened by me, 

Thomas Day, Secretary. 



May it please the Honorable Committee — 

I have prayed the Honorable General Assembly of Con- 
necticut, now convened, to grant me a rehearing on the 
Information brought against me by James Lanman, Esq. 
and to give up a note of more than $630, which was ex- 
torted from me to pay the cost which had arisen on account 
of that information. My petition w T as founded on the 
ground, that I was wholly innocent of the crimes charged 
upon me ; 2d, that I had been partially and unfairly tried ; 
3d, that I was unjustly condemned and imprisoned, and 
wickedly and cruelly deprived of almost every thing which 
could make life desirable. On this memorable the honor- 
able General Assembly have condescended to appoint a 
joint committee of both houses, which committee, gentle- 
men, you are, to investigate the grounds on which my 
memorial is predicated. I have by your goodness, had an 
opportunity of exhibiting such proof as I thought must be 
conclusive. In the first place, I am wholly innocent of the 
crimes charged upon me in the information. I solemnly 

16 



182 GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 

declare this. Asenath C. Smith herself has come before 
you in person, and has solemnly sworn that I was wholly 
innocent of these crimes charged upon me, relative to her; 
that 1 never had any camel knowledge of her, either be- 
fore or since the trial ; that she never was like to have a 
child by me ; that I never had produced in her an abor- 
tion, or used any means with her for that purpose j that she 
does not know that I knew, or had been informed that she 
was, or had been like to Lave a child until many months 
after she was delivered : Gentlemen, this is in proof now 
before you, and if it be true, will you say that I ought in 
justice to be imprisoned, and to pay that note ? But sh$ 
further testifies, that she was at that time and long before, 
in the habit of keeping private company with a certain 
young doctor ; that he came there and staid all night, on 
or about the first day of July, 1817; that she was then be- 
gotten with that child by him, which his father, Col. Hal- 
sey y and Esq. Lanman,~ in 1819, overpersuaded her to 
charge falsely upon me ; which she lost by sickness, by 
infirmity, or by accident, but which they overpersuaded 
ker to say falsely, w^as destroyed by ergot and an instru- 
ment procured and used with her by me. — That in the year 
1817, she did not see me at home or abroad, from March 
or April, until some time in September, and that I never 
did at any time in my life orler her any carnal or indecent 
connection ; gentlemen, this is in proof before you, and if 
it be true, ought I and my children and friends, and the 
public to suffer? But what, I beseech you, is there against 
this proof? does the witness herself confess that she was 
overpersuaded to make oath to the contrary ; and there- 
fore she ought not to be believed ? But Maria A. Smith 
confessed before the superior court that she had often 
acknowledged that she had taken a false oath against me, 
when I was bound over, and that Old Halsey, Dr. Dow- 
ner, and James Lanman had hired her to do it ; she made 
oath before Dcnison Palmer, Esq. and it is now in proof 
before this committee, that she had no reason to believe 
that the charges against me w r ere true. At one time she 
«aid that she had taken a false oath against me, yet the 
superior court admitted her testimony to condemn me, why 
then- will not this committee receive the testimony of Ase~ 



GENERAL ASSEMBLE 183 

fcaih C. Smith, who is ten thousand times more to be be- 
lieved, to clear me ? It is now in proof before this commit- 
tee, that Maria A* Smith, and Sam the negro, were not at 
the time of my trial, and are not now, persons of truth and 
veracity, and that they ought not to be believed : Mr- 
Enoch Baker swears it, James Cook, Esq. Denison Palm- 
er, Esq. Mr. PelegRose, Mr, John C. Baker, all swear it, 
and this committee must think that all these respectable 
men are perjured, or that the said Maria and negro, ought 
not to be believed, of course that I cm innocent and ought 
not to pay the note. The present testimony of the said 
Asenath, is supported by other testimony which cannot be 
controverted. She swears that in the summer of 1817, 
and long before, she was in the habit of keeping private 
company with a certain young physician ; that about the 
first day of July, 1817, he came there and staid all night ; 
that she was then begotten with that child, which his fa- 
ther and others induced her in 1819 to swear falsely upon 
me. Mr. Perry Clark swears that she lived in the same 
house with him ; that he knows a certain young physician 
was in the habit of coming there, and of being in her pri- 
vate company ; that he came there about the first of July 
1817, or just before he went his journey to the westward, 
and staid all night ; and he personally knew that he came 
out of her bed chamber at that time, between break of 
day and sunrise ; that he had ro knowledge or belief that 
I was there during that summer ; that he never heard her 
or any of the family accuse me until 1S19 ; that Halsey 
and Downer, father of the young doctor, came there and 
staid all night, and took her into a private bed room alone ; 
that the next morning Kalsey dictated, and Downer wrote 
these accusations against me ; that Lanman was shut 
up a long time with her alone in his east chamber, and then 
told him that it would be the best and most honorable thing 
that she could do to charge these crimes upon me; that she 
should be protected, it should never hurt her, and she need 
not, and should not be called upon to testify publicly in the 
case. Curtis Hickox, Esq. swears, that on that very day 7 
when I was accused of committing that crime with her in 
Griswold,I was at his house in Washington ; that he there 
and then paid me $40 in money, and took my receipt in full, 



184 



GENERAL ASSEMBLE 



dated on that very day, 100 miles from Griswold %; and sent & 
copy of it. Dr. Beardslee swears that on that day, and for 
some time before r I was with him in Kent, and was not in 
Griswold. Gentlemen, all this evidence is now legally be- 
fore you, and will you, can you in conscience say that I am 
guilty of begetting Asenath C. Smith with child, in Gris- 
wold, on the first day ©f July, 1817, or "at any other time? 
Consider the evidence, I beseech you, and make that re- 
port which you can justify before the bar of God, and the 
bar of your own consciences. She swears that she lost 
her child by sickness, by infirmity, or by accident. Dr. 
Downing, who* delivered her, swears, and it is now in ev- 
idence before this committee, that he saw no mark of vi- 
olence upon it, or its mother ; that it might be lost by sick* 
ness, or by infirmity, or by accident. Mr. Perry Clark* 
who lived in the very same house with her, swears, and it 
is now in evidence before the committee, that in the sum- 
mer and fall of 1817, he well remembers that the said Ase- 
nath was very sickly, weak, and unwell, and had fits, and 
particularly on the week before she was said to be deliv- 
ered, and in one of her fits she met with an accident of 
falling from the bed on to the floor. Sophia Clark and 
Lester Clark swear the same. Does the committee be- 
live this testimony ? if 
supported, and I am acquitted 

But, may it please the committee, there is another ground 
on which I pray to have my note given up, and that is* 
that I was partially and unfairly tried. It is now in proof 
that the principal witness in this case, the witness on whose 
oath I was bound over for trial, andon whose oath I ought 
to have been condemned or acquitted, was rejected by the 
court on the ground that she was not offered sooner. I 
claim to be a man of some understanding. If the decis- 
ion of Judge Brainard in this very case had been adhered to, 
no testimony would have been admitted until the main 
facts charged had been first proved; and then Asenath 
must have been introduced by them, and she could have 
told the whole story, and they could not impeach or con- 
tradict their own witness ; the all-night visit, the private 
bed room conference, and the east chamber agreement 
would have come into view, Asenath says that they over- 



so, the testimony of Asenath is 



GENERAL AS£EMBLi% IBS 

persuaded and induced her to swear these crimes falseir 
upon me. That she -did swear them falsely upon me is 
undeniable ; for she swore that I committed this crime 
with her in Griswold, on the first day of July, 1817. Is 
this true ? Curtis Hickox, Esq. swears, that on that vertf 
day I was at his house in Washington, 100 miles from her, 
and from Griswold. Dr. Beardslee swears, that on that 
vtry day j and for some time before, I was in Kent, and not 
in Griswold. Mr. Clark swears that he has no knowl- 
edge that I was at his house, where she lived, during that 
whole summer, and for several months knows that I was 
not there ; that he knows that another man was there and 
staid all night, and he personally knew that he came out 
of her bed chamber at that time, between break of day 
and sunrise, so that it is undeniable, that I was falsely ac- 
cused, and she was induced to swear these crimes falsely 
upon me. But the question is, Did Halsey, Downer, and 
Lanman overpersuade and induce her to swear falsely ? 
The misfortune happened to her in 1817, — in 1819, Hal- 
sey and Downer went there for the purpose of getting her 
to swear against me — she was taken into a private bed 
room alone — they promised her honor, friendship, protec- 
tion, safety, and even secrecy if she would swear against 
me — Halsey dictated the story and Downer wrote it. — 
Soon after, Lanman went there, about eight miles, was shut 
up with her alone for many hours ; he said it would be 
the best and most honorable thing that she could do, to 
swear against me ; that she should be protected ; that it 
never should hurt her; that she need not and should not 
be called upon to testify publicly in the case. She did 
swear ! and he called upon her to swear publicly, and she 
sv^ore falsely, and she now swears that they overpersuaded 
her to swear falsely ; and that her false swearing, which 
has ruined me unjustly, has caused her more sorrow, tears 
and trouble, than all the transactions of her life besides. 
Gentlemen, these things are in legal proof before you, and 
can you now say with a good conscience, that the grounds 
of my memorial are not well supported ? Can you say 
with truth that she did not swear falsely against me ? Can 
you in a good conscience say that these men did not ovep- 
persuade and wickedly induce her to swear falsely ? and 

16* 



J86 GENERAL ASSEMBLE 

can you say that the note to pay the cost of this abomina-* 
bie iniquity ought not to be given up ? If on my tFial I. 
had brought forward this witness they could have proved 
what she swore falsely against me when I was bound over ^ 
I could not have contradicted or impeached my own wit- 
ness, and I should have been condemned by her former 
testimony, and in this way I could not have the constitu- 
tional right of confronting the principal witness against 
me ; an don this ground I claim that my trial has been un- 
constitutional, partial and very unfair. Gentlemen, I ap- 
peal to your consciences, I appeal to the common under- 
standing of all mankind, would any public officer, would 
any man who wanted nothing but public justice, have 
done as these men have ? And will you uphold them ? 
will you extort from me more than $630, to pay for the 
dreadful and scandalous falsehood charged upon me, for 
i&e unspeakably ruinous and distressing persecution which 
has been inflicted on me, and on my innocent children, and 
parishes by their means ?' Will it be just, will it be hon- 
orable to Connecticut ? i claim that my trial was partial 
and unfair, in that collateral" testimony was admitted be- 
fore the facts charged were proved; in that Asenath C. 
Smith, the principal witness, was not called on to support, 
if she could, the prosecution. I claim that my trial was 
partial and unfair, in that the court refused to send for 
Mr. Lester Clark, whose testimony was necessary in ipgr 
defence. What can be more oppressive and unjust, than 
to call a person before you as a criminal, refuse him the- 
evidence of his innocence, when it is within your power, 
and v libin a few miles of you,, and then condemn him to 
prison, to infamy, to utter ruin, in want of it. Has this 
thing been done in Connecticut ? Mr. John C. Baker 
swears it, and it is true. I called upon the court to send 
for tester Clark, as a witness necessary in my defence ; 
tiie court declined, and he was not there. Now, yom. 
gen t kmen, are appointed by both houses of the General 
Assembly to report on this "case, will you say that it is fair 
and I ought to pay for it ? 

I claim that my trial was unconstitutional, not only in 
that J was deprived of the privilege of confronting the 
principal witness against me, the witness on whose oath £ 



GENERAL ASSEMBLF. 187 

was bound over for trial, not only in that the judge refused 
to send for a witness necessary in the defence of the ac- 
cused, not only in that I was put in jeopardy twice for the 
same supposed offence, but in that the trial was put off on 
the part of the prosecution for almost eighteen months^ 
whereas the constitution provides that every person who is 
accused shall have a speedy trial. I claim that the trial 
was absolutely unlawful, in that it was more than three 
years after the crimes were said to have been committed, and 
almost two years before the prosecution was commenced, 
so that it was outlawed by the statute of limitation. — 
It is in proof before this committee, attested by Capt. 
Townsend, Esq. Cook and Mr. Rose, that important pa- 
pers and documents, the undeniable evidence of my 
innocence, were delivered to the justice at the binding 
over; that on trial they were called for; that they were 
withheld, and that the court proceeded without them.— •■ 
Will you, gentlemen, report that this was fair, and ought 
not to be inquired into, and that I ought to pay for it and 
be imprisoned and ruined in this way? To take a cler- 
gyman from his beloved children and friends, from his par- 
ishes, consisting of more than 2000 souls; where for more 
than six years there had not been a voice or a vote against 
him, except one man, to take him from the pulpit, an$ 
from the altar of God, and the pledges of divine love-, by 
the most false and infamous accusations, to refuse him the 
privilege of confronting the principal witness against him ; 
to refuse to send for a witness necessary in his defence ; to 
put off the trial for eighteen months ; to withhold and con- 
ceal important papers and documents, the undeniable evU 
dence of his innocence, and in this way to proceed to try 
him, condemn him, to imprison him, to disgrace him, and 
to ruin him ? What can be worse ? and I submit it to- 
this commmittee to say, if from the evidence now before 
them, these things have not been practised upon me, and 
abundantly proved ? and will you, gentlemen, say, because 
they are done by the Honorable Superior Court, I shall 
not have a hearing in these things, that they shall not be 
reported to the Honorable General Assembly ? But I pray 
you to give up my note, not only because it was unjust 
that I should give it, in that the charges against me were 



188 SENERAfi ASSEMBLE. 

undeniably false, and are 90 now in proof before this com-- 
miitee ; not only -because my trial was unconstitutional, 
unlawful, partial and unfair ; not only because my condem- 
nation was unjust, and my imprisonment cruel and wick- 
ed ; but because it was extorted from me in duresse, ex- 
torted from me while I was in prison, and could not help 
myself, it was taking the advantage of my situation, and 
as much compulsion as it would have been to put a knife 
to my throat, or a pistol to my breast ; in that it was de- 
manded and taken as the only condition of my liberty, and 
perhaps of my life. Capt. Townsend swears expressly, and 
it is now in evidence before you, that he was present when 
the note was signed; that I then remonstrated in warm- 
terms, and [refused to sign it ; that the State's Attorney 
said that I might then lie in jail, and went off in anger ; ; 
that I said it was perfectly unjust; (and I think that I 
have abundantly proved by Asenath C. Smith herself, by 
Dr. Downing, Mr. Perry Clark, Curtis Hickox, Esq. Dr. 
Beardslee and others, that it really was so) he swears that 
I then declared that I would sign it only to obtain my lib- 
erty, and perhaps my life ; and in this way I did sign it y 
hoping and believing that the Honorable General Assem- 
bly would afford me relief ; and gentlemen, I now request 
you to give up, in your report, my note on each, and on all 
the before mentioned grounds ; and in justice to me, to 
yourselves and to the public, I hope and believe you must 
and will do it. 

By the Chairman — Have you any documents relative to* 
your former standing ? Ans, I have, may it please your 
honor ; but not directed expressly to this General Assem- 
bly. 

Jacob Bunniel, of Branford, New-Haven County and state 
of Connecticut, of lawful age, deposeth and saith, tha* he 
has been for many years one of the wardens of St. An- 
drews' Church in Branford; that he was personally and 
well acquainted with the parents and grand parents of the 
Rev. Ammi Rogers before he was born ; that they were 
always considered among the most respectable for charac- 
ter and property of any of the inhabitants of this town : 
that he has been personally and well acquainted with the 
Rev. Ammi Rogers, who was born and brought up within 



# GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 189 

Yocut one mile of the place where this deponent has lived 
ever since the said Rogers was born ; that he never knew 
any thing unbecoming in the conduct or character of the 
said Rogers ; and that there never was, to his knowledge > 
any blemish fixed upon his character in this town ; that 
previous to his ordination, this deponent and the commit- 
tee of the Episcopal Church in Branford did sign and send 
to the Bishop and standing committee a recommendation 
for the said Rogers to be ordained ; and this deponent say^ 
that some years after this, the said Rogers was unanimous- 
ly chosen to be the minister of this parish ; that the congre- 
gation were united under him as their minister, and that 
he never knew or heard of any person in this town who 
had any just cause of complaint against said Rogers either 
as minister or as a man. — And further this deponent saitb 
not. Jacob Buniel. 

Subscribed and sworn in Branford in due form of law* 
before 

Benjamin Page, Justice of Peace. 

Samuel Russel and Isaac Hoadley, wardens of Trinity 
Church in Branford, certify that the Rev. Ammi Rogers 
was born of respectable parents, and brought up in this 
town and neighbourhood ; that we have been constantly 
and well acquainted with him from his infancy, before he 
entered college, while at college, and ever since he has 
been in the ministry, and at no period of his life has any 
blemish been fixed upon his character ; that he now is and 
always has been highly esteemed and respected in this 
town ; and that the church was never so united and so 
prosperous as while under his ministry. 

Bishop Jarvis himself my enemy and persecutor, gave 
public and official assurance in behalf of himself and of 
all the Episcopal Clergy of Connecticut, that they had 
nothing against me, that my character and authority were 
good, &c, see the depositions of Mr. Andrews, Esq. Dad- 
ley, and the Rev. Dr. Mansfield. [Page 40.] 

Mr. Joel Chatfield, one of the wardens of Union Church 
in Derby, gave the most unexceptionable testimony in my 
favor. [See page 100.] 

Messrs. Thomas Wells and Hiram Haughton, the war- 
dens of St. Peter's Church in Hebron, made solemn oath^ 



190 GENERAL ASSEMBLE 

that I was the settled minister of that parish, that my char- 
acter was good, that for six years then last past, they had 
never known or heard of a voice or a vote against me in 
their parish except one man, who had long since sold hi* 
property and gone off. [See pages 101 and 102.] 

Messrs. Eli Knox and Marcus Gibbs, committee of 
the Episcopal Society in Blanford, Mass. certify that the 
Rev. Ammi Rogers has occasionally performed divine ser- 
vice and preached in this society for ten years last past ^ 
that for some time past, and at the present time, he is em- 
ployed to perform divine service, and to preach here apart 
of the time ; and that we consider his character and hi& 
standing, as a minister and as a man, to be good. 

Bated May 29th, 1820. 

We the Committee, appointed by and in behalf of 
St. James's Church in Poquatanic, (not far from Griswold) 
to inquire into the truth of certain evil reports, circulated 
by Dr. Downer, Col. Halsey and others, against the Rev. 
Ammi Rogers, and on which a prosecution has been insti- 
tuted, — >do certify and report, that we have been personal- 
ly to the house where the ill conduct was said to have 
transpired ; that we have made diligent inquiry of the per- 
son implicated, of all the family, and of the neighbors; 
that we have also attended the Court of Inquiry, and the 
court of trial; and that we are fully satisfied that the re- 
ports, now charges, are wholly false and ought not to be re- 
garded. 

James Cook, ) Committee of St. James's 
Peleg Rose, ] Church. 

Poquatanic, April 5th, 1820. 

At an annual meeting of the parish of St. James's Church 
in Poquatanic j legally warned and held in said Church, this 
5th day of April, 1820, — 

Voted unanimously, That in the opinion of this meeting, 
the papers issued by Bishop Jarvis against the Rev. Am- 
mi Rogers, are wholly unconstitutional and uncanon- 
ieal : and whereas the said Rogers has performed divine 
service and preached in this church a considerable part of 
the time since 1814, we think it due to him, to ourselves, 
*ii(l to the public, to say, that so far as we know, his con.- 



GENERAL ASSEMBLE 101 

tluct in this parish, both as a minister, and as a man, has 
been perfectly unexceptionable. 
A true copy of Record, 

Alttest, Eeenezer Geer, Society's Cleric. 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 

The Joint Committee to whom was referred the Memo- 
rial of Ammi Rogers, of Hebron, in the comity of Tolland, 
complaining that he has been partially and unfairly tried* 
unjustly condemned and imprisoned, and wickedly and 
cruelly deprived of almost every thing which could make 
life desirable, by the Honorable Superior Court holden at 
New- London, A. D. 1820, and praying t^e General As- 
sembly to grant him a hearing in the premises : Respect- 
fully report, that in the opinion of your committee, for 
the General Assembly to grant him a hearing on the broad 
basis required in the Memorial, and to re-judge a case al- 
ready decided by the proper tribunal, would be a manifest 
encroachment upon the jurisdiction defined by law, and as- 
signed by the Constitution to the Judiciary. They there- 
fore recommend that your Memorialist have liberty to 
withdraw his Memorial. Ail of which is respectfully sub- 
mitted. 

Signed by order, David Hill, Chairman. 
Hartford, May, 1823. 

The foregoing is a true copy of the original Report oe 
file. 

Examined by me, Thomas Day, Secretary 

There is no report of the committee, nor pretence sug- 
gested, that I have not been falsely accused, partially and 
unfairly tried, unjustly condemned j and imprisoned, and 
wickedly and cruelly deprived of almost every thing which 
could make life desirable, and a note of more than $630 
to pay the cost and expense, extorted from me on peril of 
my liberty and life. I say the committee have not pre- 
tended that all this was not proved, and that all this wa§ 
not true : but that it would be a manifest encroachment up- 
on the Judiciary, for the General Assembly to grant a re- 
hearing ; and they say nothing of the note, whether they 
will give it up or not. Good God of heaven ! has it come 



X$2 GENERAL ASSEMBLE 

tb this! can the citizens of Connecticut be treated in thii 
way and have no redress ! 

O, Merciful God, and Heavenly Father, who hast taught 
me in thy holy word that thou doest not willingly affiictor 
grieve the children of men ; look with pity, I beseech 
thee, upon the sorrows of thy servant, who am now un- 
der affliction and persecution. In thy wisdom thou hast 
seen fit to suffer me to be visited with trouble and to have 
distress brought upon me. Remember me, Lord, in 
mercy, sanctify thy fatherly corrections to me, endue my 
soul with patience under my afflictions, and with resigna- 
tion to thy blessed will : comfort me with a sense of thy 
goodness, lift up the light of thy countenance upon me, 
and give me peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant. 

Lord, that all my sufferings here upon earth for the tes- 
timony of thy truth, and a good conscience, may termi- 
nate in thy glory and the salvation of my own soul ; may 

1 look up to heaven and behold thy glory which shall be 
revealed hereafter : may I learn to love and bless my per- 
secutors. Father of mercies, please to forgive them and 
to turn their hearts ; please to bless and preserve all Chris- 
tian rulers and magistrates, give them grace to execute jus- 
tice and to maintain truth ; please to relieve the distressed, 
protect the innocent and make their innocence to appear ; 
bless all mankind with every needful gift, convert the un- 
converted, and fill the world with thy glory ; cast the bright 
beams of thy light upon thy church, that we may-^so walk 
in the light of thy truth here that we may at length attain 
everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Amen. 

Our Father who art in Heaven, &c. 

Just Judge of Heaven, against my foes, 

Do thou assert my injured right; 
set me free, my God, from those 

Who in deceit and wrong delight, 
; Since thou art still my only stay — 

Why leav'st thou me in deep distress — 
Why go I mourning* all the day, 

Whilst me insulting foes oppress.— [43rf Psalm. 



law suit, 193 

CHAPTER XVIe 

LAW SUIT. 

A&MI Rogers, ) Before Abner llendee, Esq. a Justice of 
vs. > the Peace in and far Tolland Co, Con, 

Jacob Loomis, S at his office in Hebron, Vet. 1st, 1823„ 

This is an action in which the Plaintiff demands of the 
Defendant fifteen dollars damage and his cost, (this is all 
that a Justice could give at that time, and it is brought be- 
fore him to have a speedy trial,) for saying, falsely and ma- 
liciously, that the book purporting |to be a report of the 
trial of Ainmi Rogers, in New-London, 1820, was a true 
report of the trial, that it was true, and that what the wit- 
nesses there testified was true, and that they ought to be 
believed, 

On the trial the defendant acknowledged that he utter- 
ed these words, but plead no malice, in that the book was 
printed and circulated. The plain tiff replied that the book 
was false and ought not to have been printed or circulated, 
and that falsehood implied malice, and put himself on the 
court for trial ; and the defendant likewise. 

May it please the Court — I have brought this suit, not to 
rob a neighbor of his money or to distress him— €ar from 
it — but to convince him and the world that the said Booh is 
a scandalous and malicious libeh that I have been persecu- 
ted and abused, and that it is absolutely unlawful, wicked 
and cruel, to give currency to any thing in which Individ* 
ual character is involved, unless it be true in itself.— And 
in this case, the book has no author— no one has put his 
name to it, or pledged himself for the truth of it ; and 
will this Court say the defendant is justifiable in endeav- 
oring to sanction this scandalous libel, because somebody, 
no body knows who, has published it ! could I or any other 
person be justified in administering the most deadly poison 
because some one had prepared it ! are mankind to be jus- 
tified in circulating the most injurious falsehoods, on the 
ground fhat some body has got them printed. By the 
Court — You have not yet proved that this book is false- 
Ans. Capt Townsend, James Cook, Esq* and Mr, Baker 

17 



194 LAW SUIT. 

testified before the General Assembly last May, that they 
had read this book, and thai they personally knew that it 
iocs false and malicious, and it was ruled out and was not 
received as evidence, (see page 176.) 

Mr. Perry Clark testified that he personally knew that 
gome part of the testimony of Maria A. Smith as contained 
in that book, was not true ; that in kis opinion she is the 
smoothest and most plausible liar he ever knew ; and that 
in point of truth and veracity, her general character is not 
now, and at, and long before the said trial, was not on a 
par with mankind in general ;■ that he considered Sam 
Wheeler, the negro, who was brought up with! a about forty 
rods of him, to have been at the time of the trial, and long 
before and since, a most notorious liar and a thief that he 
lied when he testified that he was sent into his chamber 
after a bag and saw Mr. Rogers and Asenath in bed, for 
that he never kept his bags in his chamber, bvd in his 
corn house. 

Subscribed and sworn in Griswold, Sept. 10th, 1623. 

Before Jedediah- Barstow, Justice of Peace. 
Mr. Lester Clark, testified that he personally knew that 
many things stated in that book were absolutely false, and 
particularly what Maria testified at the trial of Mr. Ro- 
gers was false, (see page 119) and that the general charac- 
ter of the said Maria is not equal to that of people in gen- 
eral as to truth and veracity; and that Sam the negro is a 
thief and a liar, and was so at the time of me trial, and 
that this was then and is now his general character. 
Subscribed and sworn in Griswold, August 25th, 1823> 

Before Jedediah Barstow, Justice of Peace, 
James C)ok, Esq. testified, that he had read and exam- 
ined a book purporting to be a report of the trial of Ammi 
Roger? in 1320; that it contained a false report of the said 
trial, in that it represented him and others as testifying 
that in the said trial which they never did testify, and 
which if they had testified would not have been true, &c. 
that the moral character of Sam and Maria were very bad, 
particularly as to truth and veracity, and were so at the 
time of said trial. 

Subscribed and sworn in Preston, September 8th, 1823, 
Before William Williams, Justice of Peace, 



I.AW SUIT, 195 

Gapt. E. M. Williams, of Groton, testified that he heard 
Mam A. Smith, in speaking of the trial of Mr. Rogers 
in 1820, say, that in some things which she testified she 
was mistaken, and in other things she lied, and a lie had 
never choaked her, and did not ehoak her then - 

Messrs. Leans Collins and Samuel Thaye* gave their 
depositions to the facts §:ated by them in page 179 and 
ISO. 

Messrs* Enoch Baker, Samuel Dorrmce 3 and many oth- 
ers, testified that they personally knew that the facts, as 
set forth and reported in that hcok, were in many respeej^i 
absolutely false, and that the character of the principal 
witnesses against Mr. Regefs in said trial, were bad, and 
particularly as to truth and veracity, and they ought tot to 
have been believed, 

Mr. Peleg B.ose testified that he went with femes Oook 5 
Esq. to the house of Elisha Geer, that Asenat-: C". Smith, 
Maria A. Smith and their mother, informed them that Mr. 
Rogers m-d never kept private company/ with ! :s umth C. 
Smith; that he had never promised marriage « her \ that 
they never had reason to think I e intended u rry h*r, 
and that (he whole story, as is since set forth i &.thook, 
is utterly fake. 

The testimoayon the part of the plaintiff rest here. 

The ceiend ant moved to have the Court uo ;\ i led, on 
the ground that he wanted the testimony or i smance F. 
Daniels, the reputed author of the said hCf k, I: was 
agreed to, and the Court adjourned to the oth day of No- 
vember 1823, then to meet at the same nlace at 10 o'clock 
A. M. 

November 5th 3 '823. 

The case of Ammi Rogers vs. Jacob Lcomis. was called 
according to adjournment. The plaintiff appear I. Cos- 
stance F. Daniels had bom called upon to make oath in 
this case, and he would not swear that the said book was 
substantially true^ or that the witnesses on whose testimony 
Mr. Royers was condemned and imprisoned, ought to have 
been believed ; and all his answers were so equivocal and 
evasive, (though under oath to tell the whole truth) that 
no satis&ci on could be derived from him — ftisppverty urns 
kh security* The defendant did not appear, and the case 



196 tAW SUIT. 

went against him by default : and take notice, g#-T L& 
book purporting to be a report of the trial of Ammi Ro* 
gers, in New-London, 1820, is proved to be a scandalous 
and malicious libel; and whoever shall give, sell, lend or 
in any way circulate the same, is liable to prosecution. 

AGAINST LYING AND FALSE. SWEARING, 

The Eternal God hath said -Thou shalt not bear false 
witness against thy neighbor. 

Coolly and deliberately to call the God of all worlds to 
witness and to sanction that which we know to be false ? 
or that which we do not know to be true ; or to induce 
others to do the same, is profane, is impious, is Heaven- 
daring, is God-defying ! 0, how dreadful I how shocking ! 
how dangerous for time and for eternity, is false swearing! 
It hardens the soul against all the impressions of divine 
love and fear; it banishes the influence of divine grace 
from our hearts ! It dissolves all civil compact. Our courts 
of law ought to render judgment according to evidence ; 
if that evidence be false, the judgment will be false. And 
as it respects individuals, how unjust, how cruel, how 
abusive is false witness. It deprives us of life, and of ev- 
ery thing which can make lif@ desirable — -by it, I hav? 
suffered, and by it you may suffer. No character, no hon- 
or, no profession, no property, nothing valuable can be 
safe ! Do I see my beloved father or mother, do I see a 
dear brother or a charming sister, do I see, O, Gracious 
God ! do I see my wife or daughter, by perjury and by 
falsehood, torn from my bleeding bosom, from every thing 
honorable, pleasant, gay and cheerful; dragged to a const 
of justice, stript of honor, character and happiness ; loaded 
with indelible infamy and disgrace ; my fondest hope** 
are blasted, my animating expectations are cut off, all my 
comfort is gone, and with unspeakable sorrow and an- 
guish my gray hairs are brought down to the grave ! ! And 
what is the cause ? Oh, It is false swearing and perjury ! 
Thou fell monster of hell ! what hast thou not done ! Be- 
gone, get thee hence ! begone forever, thou child of the 
devil ! What can make any person appear so perfect- 
ly ridiculous, hateful and contemptible, as to be detected 
ia a disgraceful, mean lie ? There is not a decent person. 



LAW SUTi, 197 

&n ear:h who would not resent even the suspiciesi of it ; 
there is not the meanest scoundrel who walks th streets 
of New- York, or any other place, who would not be sham- 
ed of it. Liars and hypocrites are to haye th m poi ion in 
a bad place^ in the lake which burns with fire and brim- 
stone ! The devil himself is said to have been a lien from 
the begin ning, and liars and perjured persons are children 
of the devil. I love and pity their souls, but I despise 
their conduct If it be possible, O, Fatker in Heaven, to 
forgive sc great, so heir o as, so destructive, so disgraceful 
sins against thee, and against all human safety and happi- 
ness, look upon them in mercy, make them sensible of 
their crimes, and bring them to repentance, and to a better 
use of their tongues. 

Let a person possess all the wealth of the Indies, or all 
the g V era; let him be honored with til the offices 

and stati q the power of men to bestow, yet, i£ he be 
destitu' : ruth, he certainly is rotten at the core he i s de- 

testabk le sight of God and man— -look at him see a 

liar! : - vearer ! a perjured person! How mean he 

is ! he :able ! how dreadful ! I advise v^rA^ to 

teach thai] ildren, above all other qualifications, the love 
and p: . truth ; and to impress their mi inch 

as possible, with an inward abhorrence and eon ©f 

falsehood rod misrepresentation, If a persox er so 

pe&r, b tunes surround him on every si he be 

giffiictec tind, body and estate, and is ove] ad in 

sorrow eebles, yet, if he be a man of truth) ii what 

he saj he relied on, he will be respected, be will be 

eomforl c relieved. We have a silent aaenitoi vithin 

i:S, iinfe y- falsehood and perjury we have banished 
Mm, s will inform us what is trae, asd what h not. 

Id this the words of Pope are excellent, viz. 

o'iscience dictates to be done, 
Or warns me not to do, 

t sach me more than hell to shim, 
That, more than Heaven pursue* 

Sain r I says, our rejoicing is this, the testimony of a 
good conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we 
have had oi*r conversation in the world. But conscience 
• " .-.-- . IT* 



198 DOCUMENTS 

is not an infallible guide : how often have I conscientious 
h r , and sincerely thought I was right, and afterwards beer* 
convinced that I w r as wrong ! and even in matters of reli- 
gion, our consciences are greatly influenced by education 
and custom ! Still it is the best guide in the world when 
regulated by the holy Scriptures, and the best information 
which we can obtain. O, Almighty and Eternal God, 
make me r and all mankind, I beseech thee, at all times^ 
to love those things which thou dost command, and to de - 
sire these things which thou dost promise ; thai so, among 
the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts 
may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be founi 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ainen. 
Our Father who art in Heaven, &c» 

CHAPTER. XYII.. 

The witnesses testified before the Legislature,. and theiir 
testimony was supported by the testimony of others, that 
Col. Halsey and Dr. Downer, and James Lanman, Esq, 
©verpersuaded and hired them to testify against me as: 
fchey did before the court, and that it was not true, and they 
knew it. Now stand still and see the judgments of Heav- 
€ii upon these wicked men : In less than three years, 

Col. Jeremiah Flahey y who had been a noted lawyer, a 
state's attorney, a man of gTeat property and distinction, 
has become a poor, miserable vagabond ; he has had th« 
numb palsy, his mouth drawn on one side, he spits and 
drules ; he got drunk, fell from his horse, was taken 
up out of compassion, at Mr. Abel Spider's, where he lay 
all night, wet the bed and dirtied- himself; his son-in-law 
turned him out of door, he has not a house to shelter Ins- 
tead ; a demand of $210 was offered to me againsthim by 
a Mr. K;mbai for one of these books — only fifty cents, I 
would not take it; and he is now a town pauper. 

Dr. Avery Doivner y of Preston, was once a noted Phy- 
sician, looked upon to be a man of good property, well re- 
spected and promoted in the town. In less than two year* 
&Xter I came out of jail, evc~y cent of his property was soM 



DOCUMENTS. J9§ 

at the post by the sheriff; he has not a shelter of hisownF 
to cover his head, and now goes from grog-shop to grog- 
shop, a poor, miserable outcast in society, by most of his- 
acquaintances hated and despised. 

James„ Lanman, Esq. was educated in the same college 
and at the same time with me ; he has been a noted law- 
yer , state's attorney, and six years a Senator of the U. S-» 
Since these false accusations against me, he has been 
publicly burnt in effigy in the city of Hartford, hung in ef- 
figy in the city of New- London, drowned in effigy in Nor- 
wich, and publicly whipped in his own person! in Norwich 
Landing, by a Mr. Stoiy, in presence of hundreds of his 
own citizens, and not a man to take his part, except his 
own son, who said to him : Go home, father, for you have 
more enemies here than there are less in a hive. He has 
been refused a seat in Congress, &c. left out of office, and 
I know no man who has become more universally hated and 
despised, by all classes of people, in the town where he 
lives, than James Lanman, and it is said he is more thaa 
^5,000 worse than nothing, as to property ; he has lately 
married another man's wife, and it is said he has got some 
property by her, which he is spending very fast. 

Judge Chapman, who conducted the trial, and pronoun- 
ced sentence upon me, soon after sickened, languished, di- 
ed, and is now in his grave ; he never saw a well day af- 
terwards* 

Asenath C. Smith, has left the United States, and I do 
not know what has become of her. 

Maria A. Smith, {the supposed sister of Asenath; be* 
cause the circumstances of her birth were such, that her far- 
ther never would own her ; he went to sea and has never return* 
ed,)after my trial she returned to Springfield, with Ira Dan- 
iels, (who was very anxious to have me condemned,) his 
property was all attached, his friends had forsaken nim^ 
he fled ; she returned to Griswold, destitute, despised and 
neglected— she then went to the city of New- York, and 
it is said, supported herself at the expense of her chastity ° f 
returned to Groton, sickly and diseased ; John Packer took 
her part, and took her in, and he has since neglected hm 
own wife and children, and has had a bastard by his wifeV 



too 



BOeUMENTS/ 



sister — Maria married a poor 5 drunken fellcw, and lives 
very unhappy* 

Sam W/icehr y the egro, lias since my trial, heen con- 
victed of breaking open a store and stealing, in North 
Stoning! >n: and is now justly suffering two years irnpris-^ 
onraent in Ne TT ara.£e State Prison, at Sanson, / Mmes. 

John P. Proti the foreman of the Jury who pronoun- 
ced me guilty, soon after my trial, sickened, languished 
and died, and is no-/ hi his grave ! Is it nothing to you y 
all ye th&$ pasg by Is it not wonderful ! is it not aston- 
ishing to view an4 consider the judgments of Heaven,, 
which have attended the perpetrators of this horrid plan,, 
these perseeutcrs of iajuied innocence ! and although they 



have. : 



ne enemies 



among those- wh a will judge a case 



afepminajble conspirators 
always receive all then 



without exaiuii.ado^ c : knowing it ; yet what has become 

of all these 

that people 

world ; I am 

ibr the ungodly, hi: 

port the character ef 

who hunsherseli the 



at in this 

uni ^ersalist, yet great plagues remain 
iab Brewster, who was called to sup- 



amiad 



able wife 



ly an indiyich 

me in this ec> 
ter cup of a 
once ? What 
As to my a 
sr than words 
New- York, a 
or twelve yes 
wife w:< 
(see page 35 
was the:\ settl 
&ud brou 
edj and wh 



[aria and Sam, ha. 
ery next winter, aaa 1 there is hard- 
them, who has taken pari against 
not been obliged to drink the bit- 
Look at there I What were they 



ieath of my 

wii request* 



net and character, actions speak hud* 
i ordained and settleo in the state of 
hied there in the ministry about ten 
was dismissed aftei t 
: ::% and onl/ at b k 

eke least fan 1 found in me. I 
i;rc c 1 , the place where I was born 
re my parents and grand-p arents liv- 
beer kn own from my infancy^ with- 
out a dh sen ing voice or vote; and wit! a larger salary 
than they he J , at any tame, ever given to a ly ether cler- 
gyman. If there had been amy triform my youthful days, 
against me, o my family, or my connections, wouW there 
he no or ■.? iv> lift a hard ar stir a tongue against my settle- 
ment thee a. a minister? After Iliad been gone from 
Ballston about three years, a meeting was called and in a 



e I iiad 



DOCUMENTS. 20 1 

congregation of ntore than 700 souls, a very unanimous 
vote was passed (only two dissenting votes) for me to re- 
turn and again become their minister, with the same sala- 
ry I had before, viz, £216 a year ; and if there had been 
any thing against me in the county of Saratoga would they* 
want me hack again ? 

Elisha Miller, Joseph Van Kirk, and Eleazer Bows, in- 
habitants of the county of Saratoga and state of New- York ^ 
being convened and duly sworn, depose and say, that they 
have been personally and well acquainted with the Rev. 
Ammi Rogers for nearly twenty years last past ', that they 
were vestrymen of Christ's church, in Ballston, a great 
part of the time the said Rogers preached in said church, 
which was about tenor twelve years; that ; his genera! 
conduct and character were good ; that he was dismissed 
from said church with great reluctance, and without the 
least fault found in him ; that at the time they regretted, 
and still do regret, his leaving them; and the congrega- 
tion manifested the same disposition ; (see page 35 ;) that 
about three years after Mr. Rogers left Rallston, they were 
present at a very full meeting of the congregation of said 
church in Ballston, [the number of souls there, belonging 
to that parish-, were about 700, and the number of commu- 
nicants about 280,] at wMch meeting a very unanimous 
vote was passed, only two dissenting votes, for him to re- 
turn to Ballston, and again become their minister : and fur- 
ther the deponents say not. 

Elisha Miller, Eleazer Dows. 
Joseph Van Kirk, 
Ballstonj county of Saratoga, State of Neiv- York, Janua- 
ry, 24th, 1811. 

Personally appeared Elisha Miller, Joseph Van Kirk, 
and Eleazer Dows, who subscribed and made solemn oath 
to the truth of the foregoing deposition, in due form of law* 

Before me, Adam Comstock, one of the Judges, fyc. 

Messrs. Joshua Bloore, (my wife's father, and John 
Bloore, her brother,) Samuel Holiister, Reuben Smith, 
John Higby,Ira Betts, Levi Benedict and others of Ballston, 
depose, and on their oaths say, that they have been person- 
ally and well acquainted with the Rev. Ammi Rogers for 
about twenty years last past ; that tbey have severally coa- 



202 DOCUMENTS, 

sidered bin faithful minister, and remarkably attentive 
to the several duties of his ministerial office ; that they do 
respectively consider him a man of truth, of honor, and of 
strict integrity ; that all did, and still do, regret his leaving 
them to reside in another state ; and that they do not con- 
sider him justly liable to reproach. 
Batbim, January 24, 1811. 

Subscribed and sworn before 

Adam Comstock, one of the Judges, 8$c. 

In Jewitt City, one mile from the place where the crimes 
charged upon me were said to have been committed,, in 
1817; in 1819, two years after, the wardens and vestry- 
men of St George's church; Voted unanimously. That we 
are not sensible, neither do we believe* that any blame or 
misconduct can be justly imputed to Miy Rogers. Sign- 
ed by Charles Fanning, John Scojield, Simeon Lathrop, 
James Burnham, Christopher Avery, Enoch Baker, Peleg 
Fry, and others, wardens and vestymen. 

At a regular communication of Ftankiw Lodge, No 37 ? 
in Ballston, County of Saratoga, state of New-York^ duly 
convened in their 'hall, and opened in due form, this 21st 
day of February, A. L. 582o!— Voted, That the Worship- 
ful Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens, and Brothers 
John Monro. Peter Rce 3 and Isaac Johnson-, be a commit- 
tee to inqi Ire into the conduct, character and landing of 
our Rev. brother, Amini Rogers, an€ to zee on this eve- 
ning. 

We, the committee, to whom was referred the case of 
our Rev. Erolher Arnmi Rogers, respectfully report, that af- 
ter strict trial and due examination of him, of his docu- 
ments, and o : the records of this Lodge, we find that in the 
year of cur Lord 1794, he was regularly initiated into the 
mysteries of freemasonry in this lodge ; that he was pas- 
sed and prised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason; 
and that he now is, and aid for about thirty-two years last 
past, has been a 'member in regular and in good standing in 
this lodge : Tftai from public documents, duly attested, 
and certified by civil authority, which ve have seen, we 
are fully in the opinion that there has been, in the state 
of Connecticut, one of the most wicked, cruel, and abom- 
inable conspiracies, ecclesiastical and civil) formed and ex- 



DOCUMENTS. 203 

eeuted against our Brother Rogers, whieh ever was form-* 
ed against any man in any country ; and that it is the 
imperative duty of every freemason, of every order and 
degree, to espouse his cause ; and that his conduct and 
character in this town and county, where he has resided a 
part of the time, and where he has been well acquainted 
for about 34 years last past, is, and uniformly has been, so 
far as we know and believe, good and exemplary, and we 
hereby recommend him as a worthy man, a worthy minis- 
ter of the gospel, and a worthy mason. 

Dated Ballstoii, February 21st, 1826, 

Bemslen Peters, Mister, 
William Saunders, S. Viarden, 
N. J. Seely, X Warden. 

John Monro, Peter Roe, Isaac Johnson, Committee of 
Franklin Lodge. 2so. 37. 

Voted unanimously^ That the foregoing report be accep- 
ted by this Lodge, and that the secretary be directed to 
furnish Brother Rogers with a certified copy of the same. 
Attest, John Miller, Jr. Secretary. 

St. John's Lodge in Greenfield, the Lodge in Galway, 
Montgomery Royal Arch Chapter in Stillwater, and many 
other Lodges and Chapters in the county of Saratoga and 
state of New- York, also in, Massachusetts and Rhode-Isl- 
and, took up my case, examined my documents, and after 
strict trial & fair examindtion, gave the fullest testimonials 
_in my favor, and their unwavering determination to espouse 
the cause oi a much injured, much persecu te h but worthy 
brother and companion; & to them I relume 6 [the following 

MASONIC ADDRESS, 

My much beloved and much respected brethren of all 
orders and degreess in Freemasonry, please to accept my 
most sincere thanks for your kind interference in my be- 
half, and suifer me to congratulate myself, to congratulate 
you, and to congratulate the whole world, that there is au 
institution so ancient, so honorable, so well founded, and so 
well calculated to soften the asperities of human life, to 
conciliate the affections, and to refine the manners of man- 
kind. While in this small, dark world, we are by nature 



204 DOCUMENTS* 

poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked, no beings m&t€ 
destitute, without clothing or the implements of defence, 
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, without God and 
without hope in the world. In this situation the blessed 
Sun of Righteousness arises with healing in his wings.—* 
He proclaims glory to God in the highest, and on earth 
peace and good will towards men ; and I heard a voice say- 
ing unto me, ask & ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, 
knock and it shall be opened unto you : so that a way is 
mow provided for our admission into the blessed society of 
saints in light. Though now, w T hile in this small dark 
world we may be poor, and blind, and naked; yet if we 
are prepared in our hearts, if we divest ourselves of all 
self- righteousness, of all confidence in the flesh, or in our 
own accomplishments or abilities ; we may seek for admit- 
tance into this heavenly kingdom, and by being led by this 
Sun of Righteousness, who is our Friend, any whom we 
shall soon find to be our Elder Brother and Redeemer, we 
may boldly knock at the door of divine grace, and it shall 
be opened unto us ; we may seek the light of this heavenly 
kingdom and we shall find it, we may ask to have and re- 
ceive part of the benefits of this kingdom, and we shall 
liave them. But let it never be forgotten, that as the dis- 
ciples were pricked in the heart when St. Peter first 
preached to them this kingdom, so w r e must all feel in our 
naked breasts that torture which should be a shield to our 
faith, a prick to our conscience, and which will be certain 
death if we resist or do despite to this spirit of grace ; this 
is sharper than a two edged sword, and must not be resis- 
ted: But we, my brethren, must be animated by the spir- 
it of the living God, we must be led by Jesus Christ, pur 
friend and brother, and in the presence of the all-seeing eye 
cf God, and before the throne of divine grace, we must, 
upon our bended knees, pray for the guidance and direc- 
tion of Him who is infinitely wise : then as we put our 
trust in God, our faith will be well founded, we may arise 
and follow Jesus Christ our leader, and fear no danger.~~» 
We may meet with opposition from the darkness of the 
west ; the violence of the south may oppose us ; yet by 
putting our trust in God, and following the counsels and di- 
rections of his Son, that invaluable Friend of humankind, 



"DOCUMENTS." 205 

We may go all around, and round, and round the world, 
and 'fear no danger; we shall be taught to take the steps 
of the Gospel, we shall, upon the right angle and square of 
our work, upon our bended knee make our vow of obedi- 
ence to the God of heaven ; we shall then he brought out of 
the darkness of nature into the most astonishing light of the 
Gospel ! We shall then clearly see, that as the sun rules, 
governs and enlightens the day, as the moon rules, gov- 
erns and enlightens the night, so the Son of God rules, 
governs and enlightens his church. We shall then see the 
great light of God's holy word in all its beauty and rich- 
ness, to rule and govern our faith ; we shall see that which 
will keep us within due bounds with all men, but espe- 
cially with those who have obtained the like precious faith 
with ourselves. We shall see that which will square all 
our actions, by teaching us that noblest and best of all 
rules, to do to others as we would have them to do to us in 
like circumstances ; we shall see the necessity of using ijne 
Christian gavel of affection to knock off every turbulent 
passion, and every rough corner of the human heart. We 
shall see the scythe of time cutting down all before it ; 
we shall observe the hour-glass and the twenty -four inch 
guage. 

This will teach us, that as entered apprentices in the 
work of our God, we must be shod with the preparation of 
the Gospel of peace ; that we must be clothed with the 
badge of innocence ; and if we thus stand, with our loins 
girt and our lamps burning ; if we learn to have our con- 
versation right, and to do as we should do, and to speak 
as we should speak ; we may then by special favour ob- 
tain more light; we may then pass on to be fellow-laborers 
mid fellow crafts in the work of the Gospel ; as workers 
together with me, says St. P&.11I. We shall then see that 
without faith it is impossible to please God ; by our faith 
and sincere obedience we shall have hope to enjoy the eter- 
nal and all glorious Godhead for ever and ever ; we shall 
have charity, the noblest and greatest of all christian gra- 
ces ; by this we shall love God supremely, and our neigh- 
bor as ourselves. — We shall remember what we once were, 
and have compassion for our brethren ; we shall love as 
brethren, be kind, be pitiful, be courteous ; not rendering 

18 



206 DOCUMENTS, 

evil for evil, or railing for railing ; but contrarytrise, bfe^ 
sing. So that in that temple which is founded upon the 
Rock of Ages — which stands upon wisdom, strength and 
beauty ; we shall possess faith, hope and charity. In 
faith, we shall depend upon the mercy and direction of 
God through Christ ; we shall, in the blessed hope of the 
Gospel, cheerfully meet the scythe of time ; we shall lie 
down in the silent grave, that we may awake in the glori- 
ous morn of the resurrection. In charity we shall love 
God and all his creatures \ with the trowel of chanty we 
shall smooth over all their words and all their actions ; we 
shall be unwilling to think ill, unwilling to speak ill, un- 
willing to do ill, to any one ; but we shall be perfectly 
joined together in the same mind, and in the same judg- 
ment, and there will be no divisions among us, 0, blessed 
God ! what a happy time will this be : and thus may we 
be raised to the sublime degree of master builders in the 
spiritual temple of our God. 

Conspiracies may be formed against us ; ruffians may 
assault us and lay violent hands upon us; the world may 
cast us out as rubbish ; they may heave us over their pale 
of charity ; we may wander about in goat skins and sheep 
skins, destitute, afflicted, tormented ; we may be stoned and 
sawn asunder ; the violence of our enemies may smite us to 
the ground ; yet if we maintain our integrity^ the vine, the 
myrtle and the cassia, shall grow from our grave. Though 
in the Patriarchal religion ; O Lord and my God ! the flesh 
may be rotten and cleave from the bone ; yet, in the Jew- 
ish religion, there is marrow in the bone ; and in the 
Christian re!igion,life and immortality are brought to light: 
the strong grip of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is 
Jesus Christ himself, who k the resurrection and the life, 
will raise up our dead bodies and fashion them like unto 
his own most glorious body, according to the mighty work- 
ing whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself. 

As Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, and 
in whom alone there is peace and safety, is called in scrip- 
ture, the righteous branch ; as he declares of himself, that 
he is the true and living vine ; as the dove returned to 
Noah's Ark with a green Olive branch in her mouth, in 
token that the flood was over, and that there was peace 



DOCUMENT 207 

&&ci safety on earth ; so we, when called upon the melan- 
choly task of depositing the dead bodies of our brethren 
in the grave, deposit with them green boughs, in token, 
and in the blessed hope of peace, safety and immortality 
to them. So that in the masonic order, founded upon the 
great, eternal I am, who said let there be light, and 
there was light ; founded also upon the great light of God's 
word, if our hearts, like those of David and Jonathan, be 
knit together in pure love and sincere friendship ; if ci>r 
constancy be such that we can truly say with the holy Job ; 
though he slay me yet will I trust in him, I will not de- 
part mine integrity ; though men should heave us over the 
walls of this world as useless members of society, as mere 
rubbish ; though they should kill us, yet we trust, we 
have that within us, which can never die ; our bodies shall 
be raised up in the last day, and our names shall be writ- 
ten on that chief white corner stcne which the builders in 
this world did refuse— on which will be a new name 
written ? which none can read, except those who have 
learnt. 

But, my brethren, while we are in the world, we must 
use the world, and the things of the world, as not abusing 
diem ; as we pass by, we must commit to faithful men, 
those who have been tried and found trusty, worthy and 
well qualified ; those useful ordinances and instructions, 
which God has given for the good of his people. We 
must all be fellow-labor ers in the vineyard of our God ; 
we must work and labor while it is called to-day, and be 
contented with our wages ; or else, mark well what I say ! 
mark ivellj my brethren. We may loose our reward, just 
in the very moment when we expect to receive it ; for there 
is a time corning when all imposters, hypocrites and deceiv- 
ers shall be detected and brought to light. It will then 
be, that not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter 
into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will 
of my father who is in Heaven ; so that in the great work 
of charity, we must always be ready and willing to step a - 
foot out of our way to help a brother, to bend a knee in 
prayer to God for him, to have a breast to feel for his woes 
and to keep his secrets, to lend him a hand to support him 
in all his righteous undertakings, or else to warn him of 



208 



DOCUMENTS. 



his danger and help Mm out of difficulty, and to have an 
ear to hear his complaints. 

These are some of the great duties of human life, these 
are some of that most excellent workmanship, which even 
the Queen of Sheba might admire ! and exclaim as she 
did when she saw them! and unless we will comply with 
them, this may be the condemnation, that light has come' 
into the world, and we have loved darkness rather than 
light ; that though we have been the children of light, 
yet we have not walked as such. * Then, when the great 
and dreadful day shall come, when the high arch of Heaven 
shall be disclosed, when God himself shall speak in thun- 
der *rom Mount Sinai, and the earth shall shake ter- 
ribly ; when the bush shall burn with tire, and the light- 
ning shall fkish from one side of Heaven to the other, 
and the thunder of God shall roll and roar, and the- whole- 
earth shall be summoned to stand before the Grani> 
Council of Heaven ; we not having holiness to the Lord r 
either engraven in our hearts, or written on our foreheads, 
the most excellent King will sit in judgment against us, 
great the High Priest of our profession will cast us outy 
and consign us to the lower vaults of the earth ; and the 
Holy Ghost, the Grand Scribe of Heaven, will record 
that the will of God is done, 

But, o& the other side, if we will give ourselves up to the 
guidance and direction of God ? s ever blessed spirit, which 
we shall always pray for and seek for; if we will walk 
by the lights given to us ; if we will bear in mind the jewels 
and badges of our order ; if we will mind and regulate our- 
selves by the plum line, the square, the compass, the level, 
the gavel, the trowel, &c. Judah and Benjamin may as- 
sault us, venomous beasts may fall upon us, but they cannot 
hurt us ; if we will walk by the important lights of ouf or 
der, we may find an Encampment of saints in light. The 
road may be long ; the path may be hard and rugged ; we 
may be beset by Jews, Turks and infidels, yet if we fight 
manfully the christian warfare, we shall come off conquer- 
ors, and more than conquerors, our lights never shell be ex- 
tinguished ; but in the peaceful encampment of Sir Kt. Tem- 
plars & Saints above, we shall drink new wane, in that pre- 
cious eup,made without hands ; we shall find the Rook cf 



Ages, Him who is the hope of all the ends of the earth. Thei? 
In the blissful presence of God, we shall see the four and 
twenty elders, consisting of twelve Patriarchs and twelve 
Apostles, all falling down and worshipping before the 
throne of God, and their tights shining forth for ever and 
ever, as the stars in the firmament of Heaven ! 

The subject of Masonry is vast as eternity, and exten- 
sive as the Divinity himself ! and many important sugges- 
tions I have ictech cannot be laid before you at this ti?ne~ 

Without pursuing the subject further at present, let us 
all be reminded of our high and mighty vocations^ as Chris- 
tians, and as Masons, wherewith we are called ! O, how 
eareful ought we all to be, to adorn in all things the doc- 
trine of God our Saviour ; to knock off every turbulent 
passion, and every rough corner of our hearts ; to curb ev- 
ery unholy desire, every licentious thought, and to square- 
ail our thoughts, words and actions, by the great light of 
God's word , which, as Masons and as Christians, should 
ever be open before us. O, let us remember at ail times, 
and in all places, our jewels, our badges, our obligations, 
and encourage in all our hearts and lives, all the workings 
of thafclivine sympathy, which gives to humanity so ma- 
ny charms. What can produce more real, substantial bliss, 
than the influence of that charity which as Christians and 
as Masons we are bound to encourage ; a consciousness of 
soothing the disconsolate, befriending the destitute, assis- 
ting the fatherless and the widows, relieving oppressed vir- 
tue from contempt, disburdening the overcharged heart of 
its sorrows, wiping, with a lenient hand, the cold sweat 
from the brow of affliction in every species of human dis- 
tress^ — blessed God! what a noble employment! happy, 
yea, thrice happy are yon my brethren, who know by ex- 
perience that a series of generous actions is a source of 
the most sublime happiness and satisfaction that can be 
felt on this side of Heaven ! Yes, the blessings of those 
who are ready to perish, shall forever' rest upon your 
heads ; and their daily wishes and prayers in your behalf, 
shall ascend, like a fragrant column of incense before the 
throne of God, and meet with an honorable acceptance 
with him. And is masonry a fraternity to encourage, kr 
fromote and to heighten every social grace and every 
i IS* 



210 



POCUMENTSo 



Christian virtue ? is it a society to draw nearer, and stiff 
nearer the cords of affection ? is it an institution calculated 
to befriend the poor, to espouse the cause of injured inno- 
cence, to repel the shafts of slander, to reinstate the insul- 
ted dignity, to receive into the arms of love and affeGtion 
every worthy, persecuted, injured brother, and to relieve 
the wants of the needy ! Hail it ! O, hail it, blessed of 
the LorcjL I congratulate myself, I congratulate you, I 
congratulate the whole world on -the establishment of a soci- 
ety .not above, but next to the religion of Heaven, the most 
ancient, the most honorable, the most useful, the most lov- 
ing, and by those who are most acquainted with it, the 
most beloved among the children of men. 

Blit while we are thus congratulating ourselves, let us 
remember that it is appointed unto all men, once to die. 
Our fathers and the prophets, where are they ? Let us ever 
remember and pay the tribute of respect to- the virtues of 
our departed brethren who have gone before us. Where 
h Washington, Warren, and Montgomery? where h 
Franklin, Jefferson, and Clinton, ? those ever respected 
friends and patrons of our order ! And O, how many- 
dear brethren, whose charming company graced our so- 
eial circles, have departed this life, since I first had the- 
|ono.r of being a Mason ? My Lord and my God ! do their 
lights no longer shine among us? is their glass out ? has 
the scythe of time cut them down ? has the level evened 
them with the ground '? and is there no brother's widow, 
or orphan children, looking to us for consolation, to whom 
we can extend the hand of chanty and friendship ? into 
whose bleeding wounds we can pour the wine and oil of 
comfort, while we forget not the corn of relief? Remem- 
ber that we ourselves must soon die ; the scythe will cut us 
down, the level will even us with the ground, and we must 
leave our families add friends to those who shall come af- 
ter us ; we shall be taken from our beloved fraternity, 
and from society. How solemn ! how awful ! how inter™ 
esticg is the event to which I turn your attention ! Does 
U remind us that there is neither age nor station that can 
free us from the unwelcome approach of death ? Die we 
all must ; it is the last debt of nature. Let us then all be 
prepared for that which we know to be so inevitably certain,. 



RELIGION. 212 

May we ever be mindful of the All-seeing Eye of God* 
May we keep our hands clean and our hearts pure. May 
the jewels and badges of our order never be tarnished. 
And may we, my brethren, being washed in the blood of 
the Lamb, be presented pure and spotless before the throne 
of God. — Amen. So mote it be. 

N. B. I solemnly declare that I have received the several degrees 
©f Freemasonry, from an Entered Apprentice to a Sir Knight Tem- 
plar, and am now, and ever have been, in regular and in good stan- 
ding. , 2d, That the foregoing Address is founded upon the best princi- 
ples of Christianity and of Free Masonry. 3d, That I know nothing 
in Masonry which is not honorable to God, and useful to man and to 
society. — Nor 3o I believe that our courts of law ever were influen,- 
ced in the administration of justice by masonic considerations more 
than members of the same church are influenced by their religious 
connections. Jf masons are disqualified to act as judges or jurors, 
then anti-masons are equally disqualified ; for it is a poor rule that will 
not work both ways. Masons have, at least, as much reason to fear 
a. departure from justice by antimasons, as antimaeons have by them ; 
and Churchmen, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Quakers and 
Roman Catholics, have as much reason to fear as either of them; 
and Anti-Masonry is in fact breaking up all confidence in society, 
4lh, That I never have known or considered any duty or obligation 
enjoined upon me as a mason, which was to be so construed as to do 
away the force of the great light of God's word, which was in all ca- 
ses to rule and govern our faith and practice, and which commanded 
us, that whatsoever vie would, that men should do to us, even so should we 
do to them. 5ih. That I have met with my masonic brethren in their 
several degrees in most of the States from Maine to Virginia ; and 
that I never have Known or believed, that any party politics or secta- 
rian principle of religion, was ever introduced or discussed in any ma- 
sonic meeting. 6th, That I have never known or heard of any pun- 
ishment that ever was inflicted upon any brother, by any lodge, or 
any regular body of masons, greater than that of expulsion. 7th, 
that I do believe and know that men have been restrained from er- 
ror and excited to duty by being masons, when otherwise they would 
not have done it ; and on this ground, with others, I certainly am in 
favor of Masonry. — "And now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom,, 
one of his disciple?, whom Jesus loved :" And so, blessed Jesus, let 
me live the life and die the death of the Righteous, and let my las£ 
end be like his.-- -Amen : So he it. AMMI ROGERS* 

Middleburv, V& January 1, 183<h 



Y: 



212 RELIGIONS 

CHAPTER XYIII- 

ON RELIGION, 

If people would be careful to understand and define 
the terms which they use in conveying their ideas to eaeh 
other, on subjects of religion, it would greatly abate, if not 
entirely do away those unhappy differences and disputes 
which now exist in the world. Religion is derived from 
the latin word religoj which signifies to bind, and is that 
b«nd or obligation which every creatuse owes to its Crea- 
tor: So that every person of every nation, country, lan- 
guage and persuasion umder Heaven, who believes that 
there is a God, and endeavours to live a life accordingly 
may be said to be a religious' person ; -and his religion will' 
be either true or fake, according as his ideas of God are 
correct or incorrect ; for a false religion is a departure from 
true religion. 

Enthusiasm according to our present definition of the 
term, is religious zeal and exercise carried beyond the 
bounds of sober reason and sound judgment. No one ever 
acts wisely either in religion or in any thing else, except 
when he acts reasonably;: and the moment we suffer our 
feelings to run away with our judgment, either in religion 
or politics, in astronomy or philosophy, in drinking or in. 
courtship, or in any thing else, we are very liable to go- 
astray from duty. 

Superstition is derived from the Latin words super 
and stOy which signify to star*! upon : and it is making, 
that a matter of great importance in our minds, which is 
in itself of no material consequence. It is being very 
strenuous and conscientious in some circumstantials of reli- 
gion, while the great duties of human life are but little re- 
garded. 

Bigotry, is. adhering to any principle without examin- 
ation, without reason, and contrary to our judgment. A 
man may be firm, in his opinion, but the moment he shuts 
up his mind against reason, that moment he becomes a 
bigot. 

Conversion, is derived from the Latin words con ami 



fcELIGKWt, 213 

tertOj which signify turning from, and is expressed in the 
ISth chapter of Ezekiel, viz. "when the wicked man 
turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, 
and doth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his 
soul alive. " And our Saviour says to Peter — Satan de- 
sires to have thee, and to sift thee as wheat, hut when thou 
art converted j i. e. when thou hast turned away from this 
temptation, strengthen the brethren, 

Regeneration, is derived from the Latin words re and 
gmero, which signify to be born again ; and our Saviour 
says Jit must be of water and of the spirit: which £?ie 
Christian church, in all nations, ages and countries, has 
denned to be water in baptism, whereby the person is born 
out of the society of this world, into which he is born at 
his natural birth; into the society of Christians; and the 
spirit which is given in God's good time, icherehy the nat-- 
ural disposition is changed from the love and practice of that 
which is wrong ^ to the love and practice of thai which is good 
and right : and that every man, woman and child, who is 
capable of being saved, is capable of being born again* 
and ought to, be baptized: and as we are ail children, of 
the same infinitely compassionate parent of the universe,.. 
each one has an equal right to all the means of grace ? 
here and through them, to the hope of glory hereafter : and 
it is wrong to refuse infant children the benefits and privi- 
leges of the Gospel covenant because their parents are not 
so good and so exemplary as they should be. 

FEASTS AND FASTS. 

The Christian church has always divided the Christian 
year into two parts, viz. from Advent to Trinity; Sunday, 
and from Trinity Sunday to Advent again. During the 
lirst six months, we are taught what God has done for us, 
and how much our salvation has been the care of Heav- 
en : During the last six months we are taught what God 
requires us to do for ourselves. 

Advent, is derived from the Latin words ad and nemo, 
which signify coming or advancing to any place ; but as 
the word is used in the Christian church, it means our 
Saviour's coming into this world, and is always the four 
weeks next before Christmas. During these four weeks it 
is the imperative duty of every minister to preach and ex? 



214 RELIGION. 

plain to liis hearers the necessity and benefit of Christ^ 
first coming into the world to redeem mankind, and the 
importance of his coming again in the last day to judge the 
world. 

Christmas, is the day of our Saviour's nativity ; on 
which the Christian church joins with the Heavenly Hosts, 
in giving glory to God in the highest, that in and through 
Him, who is born into the world, as on that day, there may 
be peace on earth, and God's good will to the sinful chil- 
dren of men. After Christmas the church follows our 
Saviour through the whole course of his life, so that there 
is no doctrine he ever taught, no miracle he ever wrought,, 
no example that he ever set forth for our imitation and in- 
struction, which will not be duly explained, inculcated and 
enjoined, and hy every minister in all nations, countries- 
and languages, at the same time. It is customary in the 
Episcopal Church to illuminate their houses of worship 
on Christmas Eve, in token of joy and rejoicing, and to* 
represent that internal light which he who was the light 
of the world, was then about to introducer and also,, 
to decorate themselves and their houses and places of wor- 
ship with green bows, and vines, and roses, and* flowers* 
to shew that as these green bows and vines, &c. live thro' 
the v cold and icy embrace of winter, so in and through him 
who is bom into the world, as at that^time, our dead bod- 
ies shall live through the cold and icy embrace of death,, 
and in the morn of the resurrection they shall rise andblos^ 
som as the rose. Our religion is not as the world was before 
it was made, viz. without for?n y and void, and darkness upon 
it, but it is reduced to a regular system, so that there in no^ 
article of the Christian faith, necessary to be believed, and' 
no duty necessary to be performed, which will not be reg- 
ularly and duly pointed out, explained, and enjoined, at 
least once in every year, "and by every minister at the same 
time. Most of the Old Testament is appointed to be read 
through once, and the New Testament twice every year,, 
and the Book of Psalms once every month, and bj every 
minister at the same time ; and it is so arranged that the 
chapters and portions of scripture which the ministers are 
required to read will explain and enjoin the articles of 



RELIGION. 213 

faith necessary to be believed, and the duties necessary to 
be performed on that day, and at all times. ^ 

New-Year, is observed, not because it is the first day 
of the year, but because it was the day on which our Sav- 
iour was circumcised. On that day it is especially the du- 
ty of every minister to lay before his hearers the necessi- 
ty and the advantage of being admitted into covenant 
with God ; in the Jewish church by the rite of circum- 
cision, and in the Christian church by the sacrament of Bap- 
tism. Our commission is to preach the gospel to every 
creature, and to baptise all nations. This gospel is good 
news to all mankind ; it is that notwithstanding, since the 
fall, they are conceived in sin, and are by nature the chil- 
dren of wrath ; God is now willing, in and through Jesus 
Christ, to receive them into the arms of his mercy, to for- 
give their sins, to sanctify them with the Holy Ghost, t@ 
give them the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life, 
and a glorious resurrection at the last day : and these prom- 
ises are offered to you, to your children, and to all that are 
far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call ; and 
? he says, look unto me all ye ends of the earth, and be ye 
saved. Those who have these good news, and are willing 
to receive these great and glorious promises, are required 
to accept them by coming into covenant with God, by 
promising and engaging on their part, that they will use 
their best endeavours to renounce and avoid all kind of 
sin and wickedness, that they will constantly believe God's 
holy word, and obediently keep his commandments. The 
sign and seal of this covenant is water applied by* lawful 
authority, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost : for there are three that bear record 
in Heaven, the Father, the Word, (i. e. the Son, for he 
was made flesh, and dwelt among men,) and the Holy 
Ghost, and these three are one. And there are 
three that bear witness on earth ; the Spirit and the wa- 
ter, and the blood, — represented by the blood and water 
that sprinkled upon the earth from the side of our Saviour 
as he hung upon the cross ; blood to show that an atone- 
ment was made for sin ; water to show the purifying na- 
ture of the gospel ; and the spirit to change the heart or 
affections of mankind from the love and practice of ungod- 



216 



BELIGION* 



liness and worldly lusts, to the love of God, and of a sober, 
righteous and godly life, and these three agree in one. For 
this reason infant children and others are sprinkled in 
baptism, to signify the outpourings of the Holy Ghost, the 
blood and water that sprinkled from the side of our Sav- 
iour as he Lung upon the cross, and that we are thus 
planted in the likeness, not of his burial, hut of his death. 
But the frailty of human nature is such, that we ought often 
to call ourselves to an account, to bring our consciences to 
the bar of God, to become feelingly sensible of our sins 
and unwortliiness, to become convicted of our sins, and to 
flee to the blood of Christ in the blessed sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper ; there to receive all the benefits of his 
body broken and his blood shed far us, that we may ob- 
tain the forgiveness of what is past, renew the covenant 
between God and our souls, and be reinstated into the di- 
vine favour and protection. See John vi. 53 — 54. 

Epiphany, is derived from the Greek word ejriphaino- 
maij and signifies appearance. It is the time when our 
Saviour was manifested to the Gentiles hy the leading of 
a miraculous star : when the partition wall between Jews 
and Gentiles was broken down, and free salvation was of- 
fered to every son and daughter of the human race upon 
equal terms. At this time we consider the sheet which 
St, Peter saw let down from Heaven, containing four foot- 
ed beasts of every kind, to represent all the different na- 
tions upon earth. At this time we consider the first mira- 
cle our Saviour wrought, which was that of turning water 
into wine. We also consider a visible manifestation of the 
three persons in the ever-adorable Trinity of Heaven at the 
baptism of our Saviour which was his ordination, or con- 
secration to the office of a Priest, for lie then began to be 
about thirty years of age. God the Father was manifes- 
ted in the voice from heaven, which said, This is my be- 
loved Son, hear ye him. The Son was manifested in the 
water of baptism, and the Holy Ghost was manifested 
in the form of a dove descending and lighting upon him ; 
and this is one reason why we are baptized in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

Ashwednesday, is the first of the forty days and for- 
ty nights that our Saviour fasted and did penance for the 



HELI&IOtf. 217 

Wins of mankind, and is the first day of Lent which is an 
%Id Saxon word signifying spring, and includes the time 
<>f our Saviours fasting, which was in the spring of the 
year. 

Palm Sunday, is the day that our Saviour ascended 
into Jerusalem tfie last time amidst the hosannahs of thou- 
sands, and those who went before and followed after, 
cut down branches from the trees, and strewed thein,in the 
way, <%-c, in the fulfilment of the prophecy of Zacheriah, 
Ix. 9. written about 587 years before. 

Passion We se, is the week after Palm Sunday, and 
is the week of cur Saviour's cruel and unfair trial before 
the Jewish court or council. 

Good Friday, is the day on which our blessed Sav- 
iour died upon the cross for our redemption and final sal- 
vation ; and is observed as a day of humiliation, fasting and 
prayer. 

Easterday, is the day that our Saviour arose from the 
dead as an earnest and as a pledge of the future resurrec- 
tion of all his faithful followers to immortal glory and hap- 
piness. Easter is derived from an old Saxon word oest which 
signifies to rise, and star, a luininary in heaven. So that 
as the lightning shines from the east even unto the west, so 
shall be the coming of the Son of Man : and for this reason 
do all nations bury their dead with their heads to the west fa- 
cing the east, so that when Christ shall come to judge the 
world in the last day, all who are in their graves shall 
hear his voice, and come forth, their faces will be towards 
him, to receive the joyful blessing which he shall then 
pronounce upon them saying, Come ye blessed of my Fa- 
ther, &c. Easter is the same to us that the passover was 
to the Jews : As they calculated their time by the moon, so 
are we obliged to have recourse to the same method of keep- 
ing time, for the Almighty has said, Ex. xii. 14, Ye shall 
. keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations : ye 
shall keep it a feast by an ordnance for ever. And st. Paul 
says, 1 Cor* v. 7, Christ our passover is sacrificed for tts, 
therefore let us keep the feast. 

Holy Thursday, is what we call Ascension day ; and 
is the day when our Saviour ascended visibly into heaven, 
Acts u 9, 10. and is set down at the right hand of God, %b 

19 



218 



RELIGION, 



intercede for us, til! he shall come again with power and 
;great glory. 

Whitsunday, is the day when the Holy Ghost descen- 
ded upon the Apostles in the form of fire ; and they were 
then baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire ; as was 
foretold by John the Baptist. It is the same to us that 
Pentecost was to the Jews. 

Trinity Sunday, is a day set part to inculcate the great 
and mysterious doctrine of the holy and ever adorable 
Trinity, in whose name we have been baptized. That 
there are three persons and one God, is a doctrine taught 
in the holy scriptures. In the first chapter of Genesis, God 
the Father spake ; the Word, (which was afterwards made 
fleshy) went forth, and the Spirit moved upon the face of 
the waters, in the 2Gth verse, the Almighty says, in the 
plural number , let us make man in our image, and after 
our likeness. Our Understanding creates every thing 



that we know, it is the Creator within us, and is to us, 

ather of all other faculties. Our Memory is begot - 

the understanding, proceeds from the understan- 

at the understanding creates, 



the 

tei 



'J 



is \ 



ding, saves and preserve 

and is the saviour within us. What the understanding 
creates and the memory preserves, Our Affection will 
induce us to love it or to hate it : to pursue it or avoid it, 
and will call us into action. Tell me how much older the 
understanding is than the memory, and I will tell you how 
much older the Father is than the^Son. 

This doctrine is not only taught in the Holy Scriptures, 
and illustrated by the un3e$ standing , the memory and the 
affection* which I have already explained ; but in the very 
formation of our bodies, which are first covered with an 
epidcrmSj i. e. a scaf skin, the reie mucosuniy i. e. a sub- 
stance under the scaf skin, and the cutis vera, i. e. the re- 
al or true skin. Allowing thirty days to a month, in nine 
months are 270 days ; so allowing the nails to be bones, 
(tkey are not hones, but nearer bone than cartilege—call 
them bones*) and there are 270 bones in each human body, 
i, e. just as many bones in the human body as there are 
days in nine months. There are fifty -two weeks in the 
year, End just fifty-two bones in the trunk of the body. 
'There are twelve months in the year, and just twelve 



BELIGION. 219 

rfors&l vertebne or joints la the back. There are seven 
days in the week, and just seven cervical vertibne, of 
joints in the human neck to bov/ down to labor r l& the 
Week with. There are twenty-four hours in the day 5 and 
just twenty-four ribs in the human body. There aire thir- 
ty-two points of compass, and just thirty -t wo hordes, in 
each arm and in each leg, to go all round the compass to* 
get your living with. There are thirty-two different kinds 
of elementary food, more or less, and just -■ thirty4wo teeth 
In every human mouth, where they have a full set, to mas- 
ticate that food. There are but eight notes in music, and 
in dissecting the ear, we find that there are just eight 
parts on each ear to hear these notes of music* Ther- are 
but seven primary colours, and on dissecting the eye, we 
find that there are just seven parts in each eye to see those 
colours. There are three lobes in the brain, which is the 
seat of life j called the cerebrum, cerebellum, and meuutoi 
oblongata, and there are three persons in the Holy Trin- 
ity who gave life. There are thirty-nine books in the old 
Testament ; thirty-nine stripes were to be inflicted on those 
who should violate those books, ; and just thir,y-nine pairs 
.©f nerves to feel those stripes when they were inflicted, 
for where there is no nerve there is no feeling. There are 
five senses, viz. hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, and feel- 
ing ; five orders of architecture, five points of moral fel- 
lowship, and five fingers and five toes en each hard and 
on each foot, to perform with. 

How wonderfully is the human body made ! how ex- 
actly is it formed to answer the purpose for which it was 
designed i ani thus you see, that to deny the doctrine of 
the Trinity is to deny your own baptism ; for you were 
baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and 
of the Holy Ghost, it is to deny the Holy Scriptures, for 
there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, 
the Word and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one — it 
is to deny your own souls, for they were made in the im- 
age of God — it is to deny your awn bodies, for there are: 
three lobes in the brain which is the seat of life — it is :o 
deny the elemejots of the material word; ar-.d it is to / 
the truth of the opinion of the whole Chris- 'an Church 

Innocent's Day, December 28th, is the day on whiefc 



RELIGI0tf< 



Herod commanded 14,000 innocent children, that wert? 
two years old and under, to be put to death in search of our 
Saviour* 

Conversion op Sir. Paul, on the 25th of January, 
is set apart to consider his conversion, life, doctrine, minis- 
try, history, &c. 

Purification of the blessed virgin Mary, February 
2d, according to the custom of the Jewish Church, is to 
give thanks after the birth of a child, and is what we call 
churching of women. 

Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, March 25th, when 
the angel declared that she was highly favored of the Lord f 
that she should conceive and bring forth a son and should 
call his name Jesus. Read Luke i. 28., &e. 

Septuages-ima is a latin word which signifies 70th, and 
is about the 70th day before Easter, or the Passover. 

Sexagesimo is a latin word which signified 60th, and is 
about the 60th day before Easter. 

Qtiinquagcsima is a latin word which signified 50th ? 
and is about the 50th day before Easter. 

Quadragesima is a latin word which signifies 40th, and 
is about the 40th day before Easter. The design of retaining 
these names is to show the connection between the Greeks 
the Latin, the English and other Churches. 

Rogation is derived from the Latin word [ rogo, which sig- 
nifies to ask, beg or supplicate ; and Rogation days are the 
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays^ before our blessed 
Saviour ascended into Heaven, and ate set apart to sup- 
plicate God's mercies and favors through his mediation. 

The several Sainfs days are set apart to consider the par* 
tieular virtues, piety, examples and histories, of those saints 
and good men vjho have gone before us. 

Shrove Tuesday, is derived from an old Saxon word 
which signifies to coif ess their faults with fear, quaking 
and shrivering, and is the day before Ash Wednesday. 

g^What may be done at any time will commonly be 
done at no time ; and there is certainly great propriety in 
setting part certain days and seasons in every year to in- 
culcate the most material articles of the christian faith and 
to explain and enjoin the most material duties of a chris- 
tian life, conversation and behaviour. 

The first reugigk of external observances, that Gad 



RELIGION. 22.1 

ever gave to man, was the Patnarchical Religion, in which 
the father of the family, the head of the tribe, or the first 
man among them was their Priest z.nd offered sacrifice 
to God for the others, &c. This religion lasted from Ad^ 
am to Moses, about 2430 years. 

The Second Religion, of external observances and 
internal improvements, that God ever gave to man, was the 
Jewish Religion ,in which they had High Priests, Prists and 
Levites; three separate and distinct orders of Clergy with 
their distinct offices, to oiler sacrifices &c. to Goo, for them- 
selves and oihers. This Religion lasted from Moses to 
Christ, about 1570 years, and is set forth in the Old Tes- 
tament. 

The third and last Religion, of external observ- 
ances and internal graces and improvements which God 
gave to man, was the Christian Religion, in which they 
have Bishops Priests and Deacons ; three separate and dis- 
tinct orders of Clergy with their distinct offices, to otter 1© 
God the commemorative sacrifice of praise and thankc- 
giving, for the expiatory sacrifice of Christ who once 
offered himself a sacrifice for all, &c. This ReligiolQ has 
and will last from Christ's first advent to redeem mankind, 
until his second and far more glorious advent to judge the 
world. 

The Mahometan Religion originated ia Asia. A. B. 
GOG, and their faith and external observances are contained 
p,nd set forth in a Book called the Alcoran, They believe 
in one God and in Mahommed as his prophet ; they be- 
lieve-in angels and in devils ; in their Alcoran, m a future 
accountability and a final judgment ; they hold that God has 
from all eternity absolutely and unconditionally fore-or- 
dained and fere-decreed all the actions of all his creatures, 
and all their happiness or misery to all eternity.— -Their 
Religion requires prayer, giving of alms, fasting and pil- 
grimage to Mecca, &c. They abstain from usurv, gam- 
bling, drinking wine, eating blood and swine's rlesh. — 
They are divided into different sects or parties, and are 
continually condemning one another. There are said to 
be 140,000,000 of the human race who are Mahometans^ 
residing in Asia, Africa, and in the south east part of Eu- 
rope. 

%9* 



222 



RELIGION, 



Paganism is tile same as Heathenism, and embraces d\i 
who worship false gods, or no god at all. Atheist i& 
one who believes that there is no God, or Creator^ or Gov- 
ernor of the Universe. Deist is one who believes that 
there is a God, but does not beMeve the Bible to come 
from him any more than any ether book, nor does he be- 
lieve any com muni eat! on from him except in his works of 
creation. 

Papists are the same as Roman Catholics, m& that i& 
the same as the Roman Universal Church as including all 
who belong to what they ealithe True Chiirch.— I believe 
in the Holy Catholic Church, embracing all who are sanc- 
tified, and are led l-y the spirit, i. e, disposition of Christ, of" 
every nation, eoimtiy .language andperoua>ion under Heav- 
en r but I do not believe in the J&oljRomm Catholic Church. 
My objections to them are, that the Bishop of Rome claims 
an authority, which, in my 
him or to any ether ma 
to him as God and mai 
neve in their seven s; 



Uj 



elc word 
men who- 



opinion^ never was given to- 
except to Christ Jesus, and only 
In the next place I do not be- 
mient'j, in transuBstaniiation, in 
purgatory, in worshiping imager or in worshiping God by 
them,— In indulgeneies to commit sin, &c. &e. &c". 
Episcopalians are so called irsm the Greei 
Epkkoposj which signifies a Bishop or an 
is the successor of an Apostle and invested with divine- 
authority to ordain ministers and to govern them and all 
irhinrj belonging to the Church according to Christ's ia>vs£. 
but by no means has he authority contrmy to the law of 
Christ and the established order of the Clmrcn any more 
than a Judge or Justice has authority contrary to the law 
cf the state" When Christ was upen earth he instituted- 
and established; a churcla to be under the gospeh dispensa- 
tion in the New Testament, in conformity to the Churcb 
of Israel in the Old Testament. That was a well organi- 
zed society, with proper, officers, to continue to the end of 
that dispensation. The Christian Church is a well organ- _ 
ized society, with proper officers to continue to the end of 
the world. If it be Christ's Church it must have beea 
organized by him, the officers must have heen commission- 
ed by him," and they must now receive their authority 
&om him immediately from Heaven, or b j a regular fiH^ 



RELIGION 223 

Cession. This the Church of England and the Episcopal: 
Church in America claim, and in my opinion, they adduce 
abundant proof to substantiate this claim. In proportion* 
to their numbers they certainly are the most karned,.. 
wealthy, pious and respectable denomination in the United 
States. 

Presbyterians are so called from the Greek word 
FresbtfferoSj which signifies an elder, an ol£er person, one 
who is in the second order of the clergy ; and for them to* 
ordain and govern the Church without their Bishop, is lik«r 
justices oi the peace commissioning othes justices, and 
governing the state without the Governor. They origina- 
ted in Scotland about the year 1530, and are a very numer- 
ous, learned, and respectable body of professing Christians^ 
but are wonderfully divided into cMe rent sects and par- 
ties, so lb at if any one should wish to be a Presbyterian^ 
he would hardly know which party to* join, 

Coxgf lA'TiONALiis-TS. wete so-called because they sup- 
posed tha all ecclesiastical authority was lodged in the 
Congregation, a^d formerly ministers were ordained an$ 
members were admitted into the Church by avote of 
the congregation. They were organized in England*. 
by one Cartwright about the year I5S0, and are a very 
leftrned, pious, respectable body of professing Christians- 

I&bepenbents were so called, because they held that 
any nuinoer >>i proiess'ng Christians had: a right to form 
themselves into a church, choose one of their own num- 
ber to be their minister, to ordain him and under him t& 
enjoy all ordinances of Religion, independently of anybody 
in the wold. They were first organized in England by 
one Robert Erown, about the year 1590. They have now 
very general!;/ amalgamated with the Congregatianalists. 

Baptists were formerly called Anabaptist, because they 
baptized again tho^e who Joined them, even if they had' 
been baptize; aud Antipedobapti&ts, because they rejec- 
ted infant baptism and baptism by sprinkling or pouring 
water on the subject. They originated in Germany about 
the year -525, though some claim to be descended from 
John the L'aptist, and others from the Apostles ; but they- 
*fe now a learned respectable body of professing, chri*- 



224 



RELIGION. 



Methodists are so called, bacause Westley and Whit- 
field their founders, adopted a particular method in their 
religious exercises. They were first organized in Eng- 
land about the year 1729. They are now the most nu- 
merous denomination in the United States, and for elo- 
quence, vital piety, and strict morality, they are excelled by 
none. In point of doctrine they agree with the Church of 
England for tha most part. 

Quakers are so called because they had a particular 
manner in their meetings of shaking and quaking. — They 
originated in England about the year 1650, and were foun- 
ded by George Fox. Like most other denominations, they 
are divided into sects and parties. The Hixites is a par- 
ty lately sprung up among them, and has caused great an- 
imosity and division ; they deny the divinity of Christ and 
the sufficiency cf the Holy Scriptures. 

Universe lists are socalled, because they hold that all 
men will finally be saved. They also are divided among 
themselves ; out in any case, if they err it is on the char- 
itable side; if it be a dangerous error, as I think it is, it 
is a good nature*! one. 

Arians are so called because they originated from one 
Alius, in the year 315.— He taught that Christ was not 
the Eternal God, and ought not to be worshipped. To con- 
fute this error, the Nicene Council was held : composed 
of all the Bishops in the known world, and the Nicene 
Creed was then adopted, A. D. 325, and has been constant- 
ly acknowledge! and used in the Church ever since. So- 
cinians, UBlterians, &e. agree in the main points with the 
Arians. 

ON THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
All denominations of Christians agree in acknowledging- 
the Book called the Bible, to have been given by the im- 
mediate inrluence and inspiration of God ; and that it contains 
and sets forth the articles of their faith and the rule of their 
practice. The Old Testament is acknowledged and believ- 
ed by the Jews ; both the Old and New Testaments are ac 
knowledged and believed by Christians. The general ev- 
idences on which they found their belief in the divine au- 
thority of the Bible, are, 1st, miracles; 2d, fulfilment of 



RELIGION. 225 

prophecies ; 3d, historical facts ; 4th, internal marks of 
truth, and our own consciences bearing witness* 

1st. I. shall endeavour to shew that these miracles were 
matters of fact, such as men's outward senses, their eyes* 
and ears might be judges of. 2d. That they were done 
publicly in the face of the World. 3d. That not only 
public monuments have been kept up in memory of them T 
but outward actions have been performed. 4trr. That 
such monuments, observances and actions, did commence 
at the time these miracles or matters of fact were done. 
Tf I can prove this, I think that every Atheist, Deist, and 
unbeliever, must give up their doubts, 

1st. Suppose that De Witt Clinton, or any other man r 
should say and publish to the world, that he did yesterday y 
by a tniraculous power ^ divide the North River in presence- 
of all ike inhabitants of Albany, and conduct ihem through? 
ON dry ground, to Greenbiish, the water standinq like? 
tvalls on both sides ! It would be absolutely impossible to 
persuade the people of Albany that this was true, because 
everv man, woman and child would contradict it; and say- 
that it was notoriously false, It is therefore manifest that 
no such imposition could be put upon the people at the 
time it was said to have been done. The only way then 
to get along with this, is to say that the story w v as inven- 
ted some years afterwards, when the people were dead 
and gone/ who lived when the facts was said to be done- 
But here my 3d and 4th evidences refute the plea.— Sup- 
pose some one should say that 150 years ago Be Witt 
Clinton divided the North River, and all the inhabitants of 
Albany followed him through on dry ground to Greenbush r 
the water stva&mg like walls on both sides ; that it was; 
done on such a particular day and year, and irom that day 
to this every mas and child at the age of twelve years had 
a joint of his little finger cut off, that every man in Albany 
now had that mark upon his hand, that this was in com- 
memoration of their passing through the North River in 
the manner aforesaid ; that it was instituted at that time 
and had continued ever since in memory of it. It would* 
be absolutely impossible to persuade the people of Alba- 
ny to believe this to be true, because every person* could 
and would contradict it., 



226 RELIGIONS 

Now lei us compare this with Moses and Christ. Could 
Moses persuade 600,000 children of Israel to believe, that 
he. had divided the Red Sea , and that they had followed him 
through the midst of it on dry ground, the water standing 
kke walls on both sides ? That he had fed them with man- 
na, and the other matters of fact set forth in his books, if 
they were not so ? He could not make them believe it at 
the time when it was said to have been done, because ev- 
ery man, woman and child, could and would contradict 
him.— But read the 11th chapter of Deut. from the second 
to the Sth verse, for, says he, I speak not with your children 
which have not known and which have not seen, fyc.—But 
your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which he 
did, Ssc. Now it would be as impossible for Moses to 
make the children of Israel to believe these things if they 
were not true, as it would for De Yfitt Clinton or any oth- 
er person to make the people of Albany believe that they 
had gone through the North River dry shed and oa dry 
ground if it were not true. The most then that can be 
suid is, that these books of Moses were wrote some years 
after him and put out in his name. But this could not be, 
because they speak of themselves as delivered by Moses 
and kept in the ark from his time. Head the 31st chapter 
of Deut. — Mosses himself made an end of writing them, and 
he himself delivered them to the L&mtes andTuiey were by his 
order kepi in the ark as the perpetual law of that people^ 
Suppose any man should now write a book and call it the 
statute law of New- York, and put it into the library of the 
Secretary of State, could he make it pass as the law book 
of the State when they had never seen it or heard of it be- 
fore ? A: Impossible was it for the books of Moses to have 
been received for what they declare themselves to be^ viz* 
the laws of that nation — that they had owned and received 
and been governed by them, when they had never so much 
as heard of them.— Nay, they must in an instant forget ail 
their former laws and usages, and receive these as such 
when they had never heard of them before : Let me ask, 
was there ever a book of sham laws, which were not the 
laws of air/ people, palmed npon that people as their laws? 
Was such a thing ever done ? Why then will they charge 
this upon the Bible ? The Jews are no w, at this very um& 



EELXGXON. 227 

1SB0, here with us, we know them, and they are sow gov- 
erned by these laws. But these books not only contain 
certain laws, but a history of facts on which these laws are 
founded, viz. the Sabbath, the Passover, the Day of Pen- 
tecost, &c. ; could any one persuade the people of the Uni- 
ted States to believe that their Independenee was not de- 
clared on the 4th of July, 1776? No more could we per- 
suade the Jews to believe that they did not pass through 
the Red Sea on dry ground, when the water stood like 
walls on both sides ; that they were not fed with mann^; 
that they were not passed over when the Egyptians we're 
destroyed, &c. The passing of the children of Israel thro' 
the River Jordan is not less miraculous than their passing 
through the Red Sea ; and it was done publicly in open day 
light ; it was a fact that men's outward senses, their eyes 
and ears might hear and see, and of which they might all 
judge, and the stones set up in Gilgal to commemorate 
that event remain to this day. Read the 3d chapter of 
Joshua 9th verse, &c. 

What I have said of Moses and the Jews in the Old 
Testament, is equally true of Christ and of Christians in 
the New Testament. 1st. The miracles of Christ were 
matters of fact } such as men's outward senses, their eyes ? 
ears and experience might judgfc of = 2d. They were done 
publicly in the face of the world. 3d. Public monuments 
and outward observances have been kept up in memory 
of them. 4th. These observances did commence at the 
time the miracles were wrought, and have been constant- 
ly kept \vc) in memory of them. Our Saviour says, I spake 
openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing. About 
3000 were converted at one time, and about 5000 at an- 
other time, and it was in consequence of what they them- 
selves had seen and heard, and experienced ; so that the 
two first rules are established, and the two second rules 
are established by the observance of baptism, and the 
Lord's Supper instituted in commemoration of the mirac- 
ulous death, resurrection and atonement made by our Sav- 
iour; also visibly to admit us into his family and to con- 
tinue us in union with him and with one another. They 
were instituted at the time the events took place, and have 
been constantly observed ever since. Can any one rea- 



"228 xiELifciosr. 

sonably believe that the whole Christian world would 
unite in keeping Christmas if Christ had never been born ; 
in keeping Epiphany if he had never been manifested to 
the Gentiles ; m keeping Good Friday if he had never 
been crucified; in keeping Easter if he had never risen 
from the dead ; in keeping Holy Thursday if he had nev- 
■<?c ascended into Heaven ; in keeping Whit Sunday if the 
Holy Ghost had never descended upon the Apostles ? 

The Bible contains prophecies of such things as Omnis- 
-cienCe alone could foresee ; and such events as Omnipo- 
tence alone could accomplish. Among many other things, 
it was foretold by Isaiah expressly, in the 7th chapter, 
That a virgin should concieve and bear a so?i y and his name 
should be called Immanuel. This was literally and strictly 
fulfilled in the birth of our Saviour 742 years afterwards : 
See Matthew i. 23. In addition to this, every man's own 
conscience, if he will read the Bible with candour and se- 
riousness, must bear witness to the truth of it. And the 
effect which it has upon all nations who acknowledge and 
receive it as the standard of their faith and practice is a 
•sanding, living, external and powerful evidence of its di- 
vine authority. In the Old Testament Moses was a type 
of Christ, and the Jewish Religion was in all material 
points a representation ofttie Christian Religion, It was 
as a light -shining in a dark place; it was a lamp to our 
feet and a light to our paths. What happened to the Jews 
in the Old Testament was for our example in the New ; ' 
see i. Cor. x. 6., and all Scripture is given by inspiration 
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor- 
rection, for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of 
God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good 
works. 

1st. In the Old Testament, Moses was born into this 
world for the important purpose of redeeming and rescu- 
ing the children of Israel from the bondage of Pharoah 
and the Egyptians, and of conducting them through the 
wilderness to the land of Canaan. In answer to this, 
1570 years afterwards, Jesus Christ was born into this 
world for the important purpose of redeeming and rescuing 
mankind from the bondage of Satan, and our spiritual en- 
emies, and conducting them through the wilderness of this 



R&L23IO& 229 

wrfW to the land of everlast : iig life and happiness which 
Is the heavenly Canaan. 2. Moses was preserved in 
Egypt when Pharoah commanded all the male children 
tof Israel to be put to death lest he should lose his -king- 
«dam. In answer, 1570 years afterwards, Joseph and Ma- 
ry, being warned In a dream, &ed into Egypt, and Jesus 
Christ was preserved in the same place, when Herod com- 
manded all the male children of Israel, that were two 
year* old and under, to be put to death, lest he should 
lose his kingdom, 3d. Moses was obliged to work ink- 
ucles, and to show signs and wonders to persuade the chil- 
dren of Israel to believe in him and to follow him. In an- 
■swer, Jesus Christ was obliged to work miracles and to 
shew signs and wonders to persuade mankind to believe in 
him and to follow him. 4th. Moses led the children of 
Israel through the waters of the Red Sea, and they were 
baptized unto him, and in the cloud before they could 
secure from the power of Pharoah and his hosts. In 
answer, Jesus Christ leads mankind through the waters 
of Baptism, and they are baptized unto him and the 
Holy Ghost, before they can fee secure from the power 
c>f Satan and his hosts. 5th. Moses went up into the 
mountain and fasted forty days and forty nights before he 
delivered' his ten commandments, In answer, JesusChrist 
went up into a mountain and fasted 40 forty days and 40 
nights before he delivered his beatitudes, which are proper- 
ly his commandments, in the 5th chapter of Matthew. 8th. 
Moses and the glory of God were manifested to the chil- 
dren of Israel in the form of fire in a burning bush, when 
they could not look upon him for the brightness of his face. 
In answer, Jesus Christ and the glory of God were mani- 
fested to his disciples in his transfiguration on the mount, 
when his face became like fire, above the brightness of the 
mm : and his raiment became shining white so as no fuller 
03 earth could white them. 7th. The children of Israel 
would have famished in the wilderness with thirst, had rt 
not been for water which Moses caused to flow from a 
rock. In answer, mankind would famish in the wilder- 
ness of this world with thirst after spiritual and immortal 
thiags, were it not for the doctrines of life and salvation 
which Jesus Christ causes to flow from his Gospel. 8th* 

20 



230 RELIGICHT, 

The children of Israel could not be supported in their nat- 
ural life till they could arrive to the land of promise, with- 
out manna, which was a peculiar bread sent down from 
Heaven. In answer to this, we cannot be supported in 
our spiritual life, and nourished into eternal life in the 
world to iome, without the sacraments of the Lord's- Sup- 
per, Jesus Christ says, I am the bread that came down 
from Keaven. This is my body and this is my blood. — - 
9th. The children of Israel could not take possession of 
the land of promise until they passed the river Jordan ? 
and the walls of Jericho fell with the blowing of ram's 
horns, the sound of trumpets, a shout and a greet noise. 
In answer, we cannot take possession of our land of prom- 
ise, of everlasting life and happiness, until we pass the 
Jordan of death :■ and the walls of our Jericho, which are 
our natural bodies, fall to the ground with sighs, groans* 
and convulsive agonies of death. 10th. There are twelve 
Patriarchs in the Old Testament. In answer, Jesus Christ 
chose twelve apostles in the New Testament. 11th. As 
Moses chose seventy Elders to assist him in the govern- 
ment of the Jewish church. In answer, Jesus Christ 
chose seventy disciples to assist him in the government of 
the Christian Church. 12th. As Moses appointed three 
separate and distinct orders of clergy, viz. High Priests., 
Priests, and Levites, in the Jewish church, to continue to 
the end of that dispensation. In answer, Jesus Christ ap- 
pointed three separate and distinct orders of clergy, viz, 
Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in the Christian church, to 
continue to the end of the world. 13th. As the Priest- 
hood in the Jewish church was transmitted in a direct, un- 
interrupted line of succession from Aaron to Christ. In 
answer, the Priesthood in the Christian Church has and 
will be transmitted in a direot uninterrupted line of succes- 
sion from Christ's ascension into Heaven, till his second 
coming to judge the world m the last day. 14th. As the 
Jewish church Was taken captive, carried into Babylon^ 
and kept 70 years in slavery. In answer, the Church in 
England, the Episcopal Church in Germany, & elsewhere ? 
have been taken captive by the Roman Catholics, carried 
into Babylonish and Popish darkness, and kept for many 
nears in slavery. 15th. As the Jewish Church was pre- 



KELlGIOtf. 231 

^erveii and restored to its former glory. In answer, the 
Episcopal Church was preserved through the dark ages of 
Popery ; and at the reformation restored to its former glo- 
ry. 16th. As Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, rose tip against 
the established Priesthood in the Jewish Church, under a 
rain pretence that all the congregation were holy and pure, 
as is contained in the 16th chapter of Numbers, In an- 
swer, Oliver Cromwell, and his 250 Puritan menfbers of 
Parliament, more or less, who were princes in the assembly , 
famous in the congregation, men of renown, rose up against 
the established Priesthood in the Christian Church under 
the same vain pretence that they were more holy and pure, 
and hence they were called Puritans \ 17th, As the earth 
opened her mouth and swallowed them up alive, and all 
that appertained to them. In answer, Oliver Cromwell, 
and his associates, died a miserable death ; his 250 mem- 
bers of parliament came to nothing ; the ground, in one 
sense, opened her mouth and swallowed them up alive, 
and all that appertained to them. Fire came out from the 
Lord and consumed one party. The fire of enthusiasm 
and delusion consumed these, and still continues to con- 
sume the sectaries who follow their example. 

From the building of the tower of Babel, what aoe- 
trine, what reproof, what correction and instruction are 
we to gain ? It happened for our example : They, not 
contented with the way of salvation prescribed by the Al- 
mighty, undertook to build a tower of their own, and to 
climb up to Heaven in their own way ; but their tongues 
were divided, they were scattered, and where are they ? 
In answer, people now, not contented with the way of 
life and salvation, as prescribed by the Almighty in the 
Episcopal Church, which is established by divine wisdom, 
in conformity to the pattern under the Jewish dispensa- 
tion, have separated from this ancient and universal church, 
are building to themselves towers of Babel ; their tongues 
are divided ; there are no two of them that have the same 
prayer, the same psalm, the same portions of scnptnre/the 
same worship at the same time ; and if you could hear 
them all at once, there is nothing below (he heavenly world 
that would resemble the builders of the tower of Babel so 
mti-ch as they would* And where are they ? Scattered up- 



232 



RELIGION 



on the face of the earth,- and their tongues are stiff dif !<* 
ded, But in the ancient Episcopal and universal churchy 
are their tongue* divided ? No : this is like a city at uni- 
ty in itself; the King's daughter (that is, the true church) 
is all glorious within — -see the 45th psalm; they all speaJk 
the same things at the same time ; they all have the same 
prayers, for God is always the same, and the genera! wante 
of all mankind are always the same; they all have the 
same psalms ; they all have the same portions of scripture ; 
they all have the same worship at the same time ; and if 
you could hear them all at once, like a column of incense, 
their united devotions would ascend to heaven ; and God f 
who is a G@d of order, and not of confusion, would grant 
them a favorable acceptance : this is the Holy Catholic 
Church ; the General Assembly and Church of the first 
born in earth and hi heaven. 

I mean not to insult, nor to offend any one, but in the bow- 
els of mercy and kindness, 1 beseech each one for himself 
to stop, pause, think and consider what I have said on the 
ease of Moses and Christ, on the Jewish and Christian 
Church ? on Korah and his company, and Oliver Cromwell 
ind his company, on the tower cf Babel, and the separa- 
tion from the Episcopal Church. I ask your consciences i 
I ask you in the love and fear of God, are these things so-? 
I might mention the case of Nadab and Abibu, who burnt 
incense with strange fire, and the fire came out from the 
Lord and consumed them. I might mention the case of 
Micah, of Jeroboam, of Saul and others. The children of 
Israel, in passing through the wilderness to the land of 
promise, were designed to represent us in passing through 
the wilderness of this world to the land of everlasting life 
*nd happiness, and what happened to them was for our-aa*- 
slracitGn and admonition. 

ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH. 

When our forefathers first came to this country, they 
came from England ; and when they came from England, 
they came from the Church of England, and were dissen- 
ters from that Church ; and the common apology is that 
they had as much right to separate from them as they had 
to separate from the Church of Rome ; but this is not tie 



Keligion. 233 

truth ! Taking it for granted, that the sentiments contain- 
ed in my letter to Gov. Wolcottj page 160, are correct and 
true, viz. that no one can lawfully act in the name of an- 
other, without his authority, I proceed to remark that our 
Saviour Jesus Christ was like Moses, a lawgiver, and ex- 
pressly declared that he had all" power in heaven and in earth. 
This he proved by the four great evidences of the truth 
of Christianity, viz. 1st, Miracles ; 2d, Fulfilment of Proph- 
ecies ; 3d, Historical Facts ; 4th, Internal Marks oj Truth. 
With this authority he commissioned his apostles to go into 
all the world, to preach the Gospel, that is, the good news 
of life and salvation, to every creature, to baptize all na- 
tions ; a ad promised to continue with them always, even 
unto the end of the world ; and that the gates of hell 
should never prevail against them. With this commission 
they went forth into different parts of the world, among 
the different nations of the earth, under different forms of 
civil government, where they spoke different languages, 
and among thern planted the Christian Religion and the 
Christian Church, in exact conformity to the Jewish reli- 
gion and church in the Old Testament; only that one was 
a representation of the other, as Moses himself was to rep- 
resent' Christ. The Apostles and their successors were 
soon called Bishops, and were in answer to the High 
Priests in the Jewish Church. The Elders w r ere soon call- 
ed Priests, and were in answer to the Priests in the Jew- 
ish Church, and the Deacons were ordained Ministers, and 
were in answer to the Levites. 

Heylyn, in his Cosmography, which is a book that I 
never have heard doubted, and is as much to be relied ot& 
as any other book of human composition, says, in the 3ih& 
page, folio : 

" I have taken more especial notice of the ancient and 
"present face of Christianity in all parts of the world; 
" the planting and government of the churches^ the he'te- 
** rodoxies and opinions of the several sects into which it 
"doth now stand dismembered; by which it will appear 
i '* most clearly, among other things, that the doctrine and 
" government of the Church are of equal standing ; that this 
" government was no other than that of Bishops, and that 
ls wherever Christianity did find any admittance, Episcopo 

20* 



234 



RELIGION. 



u cy was also admitted as a part thereof The Gospel being 
a in most places first preached by Bishops or growing toes- 
4i teem and strength tinder their authority. And it is 
iL found, upon these researches, that Episcopacy is coeval 
* : with the church itself." 

These are the words of one of the most learned and 



pious 



men in the world : a man whose truth I never 



have heard called in question. St. Peter was the first 
Bishop of Rome, where he was crucified, with his head 
downward, by the cruel edict of Nero, A. D. 69. St. 
James was the first Bishop in Jerusalem, and finally seal- 
ed the truth of his religion by being beheaded there under 
the order of Herod. St. Andrew was the first Bishop in 
Greece, where he was finally crucified under the edict of 
JEgeas : his cross was not in the common form, viz. a post set 
in the ground and a beam or stick across the top of it, w 7 iti 
the hands nailed to each end of the stick, and the i^'it cros- 
sed and nailed to the post ; but his cross was in the form 
of an X, with one hand nailed to each end of the. stake,. 
and his feet extended and nailed to each post below; and 
for this reason an X has always been called St. Andrew's- 
cross. It might be useful and entertaining to give an ac- 
count of the life, labors, settlement and death of each of 
the Apostles, who were the first Bishops of the church — 
but this cannot be done without going beyond my limits, 
which I have far exceeded already. St. John was the 
Mrs. in Asia: St. Mark and St. Luke went into 

Africa: St. Thomas went into the East Indies, and on 
his way planted a church in Syria, which has remained 
there from that day to this, not knowing that there w r ere 
anv other people in the world, who professed Christianity 
but themselves ; and no other people knew of them. — - 
They were discovered a few years since by the Rev. Clau- 
dius Buchanan, who was an Episcopal Missionary ; and to 
his unspeakable joy, he found that in all material points of 
government or authority, of Doctrine and of Worship, 
they agreed with the Church of England. This is one of 
the most extraordinary and interesting discoveries which 
has been made within 500 years. It is a plain and unde- 
niable evidence of the truth of the Episcopal Church. In* 
consequence of it x one of the most learned and distinguish- 



RELIGION, 235' 

ed characters in the State of New-York has declared in 
favor of the Episcopal Church, and says, if he had no oth- 
er proof than this Syrian Church, it would satisfy his 
mind. St. Paul was the first Bishop in England. Ma- 
son and Lindsay say, that he came there A. D. 59. The 
general account and opinion is, that he first preached the 
Gospel in a place then called Avingnon, and which is now 
called Glastenbury. He continued his ministry in Eng- 
land and in different parts of Europe and in Asia, for 35 
years, when he returned to Rome and was beheaded there,, 
by a cruel edict of the bloody Nero, in the 68th year of 
his age. 

The Church of England being thus founded and estab- 
lished, not by St. Peter, but by St/ Paul, continued in un- 
ion and prosperity with the other 7 churches. Her Bishops 
attended their meetings and councils, The Church of 
Rome was at this time as pure as any other. At this time 
there was no such thing as popery ; the Bishop of Rome 
claimed no superiortiy, he Exercised no^superiority. But 
in the year 606, Phocas invested the Bishop of Rome with 
civil authority, and then he was not only Bishop, but Empe- 
ror of the whole Roman Empire : and it was this union of 
Church and State which began and constituted Popery. In 
607 he sent St. Austin into England, and demanded that 
the Bishop of England should submit to the Bishop of 
Rome, as the head of the Universal Church, as Bishop 
over all other Bishops. The Bishop of England declared,, 
that he never so much as heard that the Bishop of Rome 
ever pretended to have any authority in England before ; 
and wholly refused to submit. St. Austin returned ta 
Rome, and two years after, viz. 609, he came over the 
second time, and then engaged Ethelbert, King of the Sax- 
ons, to wage war with the ancient Britons, and to compel 
them by force and arms to submit ; some fled to Wales, 
and some to one place, and some to another. At length 
they agreed to acknowledge the supremacy of the Bishop 
of Rom?, and to pay what was called the Peter pence ; but 
still they retained their own Bishops and Clergy, taught 
their own doctrines, and performed their own service ; but 
as the superiority of the Bishop of Rome was now ac- 
knowledged, their innovations and corruptions would, and 



136 



RELIGION* 



did prevail in England ; still there appears to have bees, 
on the part of the ancient Britons, a constant opposition to 
the Bishop of Rome, and to his pretensions. Frequently one, 
and then another would dare to lift up his voice, but were 
soon put down ; till at length Henry the 8th, King of Eng- 
land, became disgusted with the pretensions of the Bishop 
of Rome, and protected Bishops Crammer, Ridley and 
Latimer, three of the best Bishops in the kingdom, in re- 
jecting the authority of the Bishop of Rome, and in re~ 
during the Church of England to what it was before he had 
any authority in England, and before there was any such 
thing as Poncr in the world. This is what is meant by the 
reformation ! and now we are told that cur forefathers 
had as much right to separate from the Church of England 
as they had io separate from the Church of Rome ! What 
a vain pretence ! The Church of England was of divine 
origin, it was of divine authority, established by St. Paul ; 
handed down by a direct, uninterrupted line of succes- 
sion, through the dark ages of Popery, as the Jewish 
Church was through the dark ages of Babylonish captivi- 
ty ; that Church was restored to its former glory; this 
Church is restored io its former glory, and yet our forefa- 
thers wouU and did separate; but on what, grounds ? Was 
it becau ' - had no authority? No, certainly not ; for 
if the Cntirch of England be nothing, and they came from 
nothing : then they must be nothing, ex nihilo nihil Jit ;-— 
naught from naught and there remains naught. Was it 
because their doctrine was either dishonorable to God, or 
hurtful to man, or contrary to the seriptures ? Nothing of 
this can be made to appear. Was it because the worship 
was not founded upon the authority of God's word, be- 
cause it did not bre^he the spirit of the gospel, because 
it was not in unison with the rest of the Christian world ? 
Nothing of all this is claimed, is even pretended. But the 
pretence of separation was that they were more holy and 
more pure than other folks, and hence they were called 
Puritans ; but their purity did not consist in holding the 
faith in the unity of the spirit, or la the bond of peace, or 
m more righteousness of life than other folks. So noon 
as they got the upper hand they murdered Charles the 
First, who, in many respects, was one of the best King* 



MELIGION. 237 

that ever sat on the throne of England. Oliver Cromwell 
was proclaimed Lord Protector. The Bishops and clergy 
were all banished out of the kingdom ; Charles the Second 
iled to France and elsewhere, a law was made , inflicting 
fine, imprisonment, and even confiscation on any one who 
should be detected in using the book of Common Prayer, 
in any church or chapel, private house or family. The 
kingdom was thrown into confusion, and civil war, the 
most dreadful of all wars, ensued. At length Charles the 
Second was restored, the Bishops and Clergy were recall* 
ed, the Puritans iled to America and elsewhere, and pease 
was restored. Golf and Dixwell, two of the pretended Judges 
©f Charles the First, lived, and were supported and pro- 
tected in a cave just w T est of New-Haven, in Connecticut, 
aiid within a few miles of where I was bom. 

Blackstone, in his commentaries, 4th vol. page 104 y 
•ays^ "that the ancient British church, was a stranger to tfw 
Bishop of Rome , and to all his pretended authority." And 
in page 103d, speaking of the Puritan zeal, says, "the 
dreadful effects ofsuch a religious bigotry, when actuated 
by erroneous principles, even of the protestant kind, are 
sufficiently evident from the history of the Anabaptists in 
Germany, the Covenanters in Scotland, and that deluge of 
sectaries in England, who murdered their sovereign, overtur- 
ned iherthurch and Monarchy, snook every pillar of law\ 
justice and private property, and most devoutly established ® 
kingdom of Saints in their stead." The very same spirit 
dictated the blue laws of Connecticut ; murdered the Qua- 
kers in Salem, in Massachusetts ; fastened Roger Williams, 
and his friends to the tail-ends of ox-carts and whipped them 
and the Baptists out of Boston. The same disposition fined 
*nd imprisoned the Rev. Mr. White, in Windham, in Con- 
necticut ; silenced the Rev. Mr. Robbins. of Brenibrd, for 
more than 20 years, without hearing or trial ; divided and 
broke up their own church in Wallingford ; persecuted 
me for almost 20 years, and finally on the charge of crime* 
said to have heen committed in Grisweld, when I was not 
within 100 miles of the place, and by suppressing my tes- 
timony, refusing to send for witnesses, overruling, the law 
#£ evidence, admitting a perjured person and a lying, thie- 
vi&k negro to testify, I was actually condemned and to** 



238 



RELIGION. 



prisoned for two whole years, and deprived of almost every 
thing which could make life desirable. 

If we take a geographical view of every part of the habita- 
ble world, where shall we find anynation or country which 
have embraced the christian faith, or do now embrace it ; 
where the Episcopal Church has not been received and 
acknowledged as the true medium through which we 
must enter into the kingdom of glory ? almost as univer- 
sally as the Bible has been received, so universally has 
the government of the Christian Church by Bishops, as the 
successors of the Apostles, as superiors to the Presbyters, 
been received and acknowledged. The Episcopal Church 
is now and always has been the religion of Norway, Den- 
mark and Sweden, of Iceland and Greenland, of Germany, 
Prussia and the whole Russian Empire, of Austria. Bohe- 
mia, Hungary and Poland, of Portugal, Spain, France and 
Italy. The Roman Catholicks are Episcopalians, perform 
the same service that we do, and a great deal more which 
we say is idolatrous, superstitious and anti-chrisiian. The 
&reek Church in Turkey in Europe, and in Asia is an 
Episcopal Church. The Lutherans are Episcopalians, and 
so are the Methodist. England, Ireland and a great part 
of Scotland are Episcopalians. The East Indies, the West 
Indies and a great part of the United States are Episcopal- 
ians ; a;*d yet James Lanman, a county attorney in Con- 
necticut, could say in 1820, that the Episcopal Church 
was only the pretended Christian Religion, the Superior 
Court said it was true, and I was persecuted in New-Lon- 
don County, and imprisoned two years for preaching this 
Religion. But let any man take a map of the world, and 
put his finger upon any part of the habitable globe where 
the Christian Religion has been received and acknowl- 
edged, and there the Episcopal Church has also been re* 
ceived and acknowledged as a part of it. I appeal to ev- 
ery man of common science, truth and candor as a witness ©f 
the truth of what I say.— Because there are some Repub- 
licans in England, it will not be correct to say that Eng- 
land is a Republic. Because there are some monarchists 
in the United States, it will not be correct to say that they 
are a Monarchy. Because there are some Presbyterians 
m$ others in Europe^ and because there are some Congre* 



RELIGION, 23f 

galional P esbyterians and others in Connecticut and else- 
where,it will not be correct to say that the Christian Church 
is not an Episcopal Church. Of all the different denomi- 
nations and persuasions, we know the time when they be- 
gan : we know the place where they began, and we know 
the persons by whom they began. Now let any one do 
this of the Episcopal Church, short of Moses and Aaron in 
the Jewish Church, and short of our Saviour and his Apos- 
tles in the Christian Church, and the controversy will be at 
an end. This is a fair offer— it is a fair challenge : — We 
name every High Priest in succession, from Aaron to 
Christ, and every Bishop from Christ t@ in succession the 
present day. He has been with them always, and the gates 
of hell, according to divine promise, have not prevailed. 
How do we know that the Bible, which we now acknowl- 
edge and use, is the same which was used a thousand years 
ago? I answer, because ^it has been acknowledged., 
received and used as such in all parts of the world ; 
there always have be@n some who would not acknowledge 
its divine authority nor submit to its injunctions. How do 
we know that the Episcopal Church is the true Church 
of Christ? In answer, because it has been acknowledged^ 
received and used as such in all parts of the world; — - 
there always have been some sectaries who would not ac- 
knowledge its authority nor submit to its ordinances ; but 
this does not prove the Church to be wrong. If any de- 
nomination can trace their authority, as the Episcopalians 
can, we are willing to give them the right hand cf fellow* 
ship. And think not, I beseech you, that this is a matter 
of *mall consequence ; for as is our authority, such must 
be our administrations : and he who departs from the gov- 
ernment or authority of any society, does ipso facte, i. e, 
by that very act, depart from the society itself. If the 
Episcopal government of the Christian Church be its true 
government — if the authority to preach, to baptize, to ad- 
minister the Sacrament, tyc. was given to that Church, is 
contained in that Church, and has been transmitted to us 
fey a succession in that Church, it must be evident that it 
is dangerous to depart ftom that Church ; and that it is the 
duty and interest, yea, the immortal interest of every one 
to return to that Church from which neither they nor their 



240 



KEUG20X7. 



fathers ought ever to have separated. These are the six*- 
^ere sentiments of my heart ; and I beseech the reader 
aiot to think me his enemy, because I am not a hypocrite ; 
because I do net ask his friendship at the dreadful expense 
of every thing which may be valuable to an immortal soul. 
If I be mistaken I pray God and you, and the whole 
world, to forgive me. My excuse is, that I have careful- 
ly examined the case in the fear of God; I have read, and 
prayed, and inquired ; and the result is, that I do believe 
the Episcopal Church to be of divine authority; that in it 
the sacraments are rightly and truly administered ; that the 
means of divine grace are in it truly dispensed ; that the doc- 
trines are in every point of view honorable to God, useful 
to man, and agreeable to the scriptures ; that the -worship 
is founded upon the authority of God's word, is edifying 
and agreeable to the best reason of mankind, and is in uni- 
son with the rest of the Christian world ; for these rea- 
sons / am a churchman, and for these reasons I have en- 
deavoured to instruct and persuade others. 

THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH. 

These are contained in the holy Scriptures of the Old 
and New Testaments, and are summed up in the Apos- 
tles' Creed, viz. We believe in God the Father, who has 
made us and ail the world — We believe in God the Son 
who has redeemed us and all mankind — and we believe 
in God the Holy Ghost who sanctifies us and all the people 
of God. The very foundation of the Christian Religion, 
is the reconciliation of a fallen, wicked, degenerate world 
of mankind to the favor of God th« Father, by the death and 
propitiation of God the Son ; thro' the sanctifying influence, 
of God the Holy Ghost, and for about 16C0 years the Ep. 
Church of England had existed without any other articles 
of religion than the Holy Scriptures, the creeds and the 
different offices of the Church. But when our forefather* 
were about separating, the 39 articles were prepared, 
composed and adopted, with a designed latitude to em- 
brace the Dissenters, and if possible to prevent their sepa- 
ration, and to guard the Church against the Roman Cath- 
olics. There were then and are now, five points of 



itFLIGION. 24 1 

1D-3C TRINE in which our forefathers differed materially 
from the Church of England; ~ % 

1st. They held that God Almighty had' from all eterni- 
ty elected one part of mankind to everlasting life and hap- 
piness in the other world, without any regard to their con- 
duct ki this ; and that he had in the same manner passed 
by and foreordained all the rest to everlasting death and 
misery. In their Confession of Faith, as revised and agreed 
upon in Philadelphia, 1821, page 16, are these words, viz. 
"By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory, 
some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting 
life, and others are foreordained to everlasting death ; and 
these men and angels thus predestinated and foreordained 
are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their 
number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either 
increased or diminished ; and all of his mere free grace 
and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or 
perseverance in either of them, or any thing else in the 
creature as conditions or causes moving him thereunto. * /? 
In answer, the Episcopal Church has always held and 
taught, that God Almighty has determined, from all eter- 
nity, to bestow^ everlasting life and happiness after death, 
upon all those in every nation, country, language and per- 
suasion, under Heven, who, in this life, shall live in obedi- 
ence to his holy laws and die in that faith ; and that he 
never w r ill inflict everlasting death upon any, except those 
who live in sin and die without repentance. 

They say in the 321st page of their Confession, re-prin- 
ted in Utica, 1822, " That the decrees of God are his eter- 
nal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby 
for his own glory he hath foreordained whatsoever comes 
to pass." We say, If nothing can come to pass but 
what is according to God's will, and for his glory, then 
there can be no sin inthe world, unless it be a sin to do God^s 
wilh, they need no repentance, they need no Saviour, for 
they are as pure as the angels ; for they can do no niore 
than to do v every thing according to the counsel of Godys 
will, and for his glory ! We believe that God Almighty 
has from all eternity freely and unchangeably foreordained 
and decreed hi* own actions, i. e. that he will, in om 
way or another, either here or hereafter, reward virtue 

21 



242 



&KLX0IG?r~ 



and punish vice : but we do not believe that he hm £e+ 
creed ail the actions of all bis creatures, and then that he 
will punish them eternally for doing that which was accor- 
ding to the counsel: of his will, and for his own glory. 

2 J. They held that Jesus Christ nerer died for more 
than one part of mankind, and that he never redeemed any 
but the elect only. Therefore, they ask in their cate- 
chism, Did God leave all mankind to perish, &c. ? Ans- 
&>d, having out of his mere good pleasure,: from all eter- 
nity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a cove- 
nant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate cf sin and 
misery, and io brbig them into a state of salvation by a Re- 
deemer. Arid in the 19th page of their Confession, they 
aay e:ipre^sly, " Neither arc any other redeemed by Chri*t ? 
effectually called, justified \ adopted, sanctified mid saved, 
but the elect only ;" and they are elected without any fore- 
sight of faith, obedience, or good works or any thing else. 
la answer, the Episcopal Church holds that Jesus Christ 
has lasted death for every one : that he made a propitia-- 
Him for the sins of the whale world. In the communion 
soi vice \v? gay, 4i That Jems Christ, who made there, by 
his one oblation of himself, once offered, a full, perfect and 
sufEcient sacrifice* oblation and satisfaction for the sins of 
the whole world ;"' and that every son and daughter of the 
human race, is row put into such a situation that they mar 
obt'iin eteraal life and happiness in the other world, if 
the/ will only use the means which God has in great mer- 
«y picvided for ftiem, in and through the death and suffer- 
ings of his own Sen in this world, 

lid. They held that mankind are now, notwithstanding 
all that Christ has done and suflered for them, totally de- 
praved ; that they are wholly inclined to all kind of evil, 
and entirely disabled to all kind of good ; that they are ut- 
terly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, 
a&d wholly inclined io all evil. In answer, the Epis- 
copal Church holds that since Jesus Christ is the light 
which lighteth every man thai cometh into the world; since 
the manifestation of the spirit is given to every jsaao 
to profit withal, no son nor daughter of the human race is 
now so depraved but that he may comply with the over- 
tures of Divine mercy— and may be saved; even- infaat 



^Jiilareti have their original sia washed away by the blood 
of Christ, and never having committed any actual trans- 
gression, may be saved* We hold that Divine grace is ia 
proportion to Divine requirement; that if God invites ail 
men to be saved, and requires all men to be saved ; he puts 
It into the power of all men fa be saved, and if all men are 
fcot saved, this will be their condemnation, that light has 
eame into the world & that they have loved darkness when 
they might and ought to have done otherwise. Every 
raan shall be judged according to that he hath done, 
considering the light and knowledge that he had or might 
have had, for there is no respect of persons with God.- — 
They that have the law- of Gcd or nature shall be judged a€~ 
cording to the law of God or nature, and they that have 
the law of the Gospel shall be judged according to the 
law of the Gospel : for to whom much is given from them 
shall much be required. If mankind are, as some people 
pretend, so totally depraved, that they can net accept the 
offers of grace and salvation, they most certainly, are none 
the better for those oilers. But the Arminian principle on 
the other hand, that mankind are not naturally more inclin- 
ed to evil than they are to good ; and that therefore con- 
version and regeneration are not necessary, is contradicted 
by scripture and by our own daily observation. And it ia 
a scandal upon the Episcopal Church to say, that because 
they are not Calvinists they are Armenians. The Epis- 
copal Church says expressly in her form of baptism,— 
" Forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and 
our Saviour Christ saith, none can enter into the kingdom 
of God, except he be regenerated and bora anew of ivaier and 
of the Holy Ghoti." This is under the Gospel. In our 
General Confession we constantly acknowledge that wc 
have followed too much the devices and desires of cur own 
hearts, that there is no health in us. And in the Collect 
for the second Sunday in Lent: Almighty God, who seest 
that we have no power of ourselves, to help ourselves, keep 
us, both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls, 
&c. But because we have no power of ourselves, it is 
not to- say, that divine grace is not given to us, and that it 
is not sufficient for us. 

4th, They held that the true and saving grace of Gad 
was never given to, nor designed for, more than one part 






ffELiarcFKc 



of mankind ; an3 that to them it was without any foresight" 
M faith, obedience, or good works, or any thing else on the 
part of the creature ; and that it was absolutely irresistible 
in their conversion and final salvation. In answer, we 
hold, with Saint Paul, that the grace of God, that very 
grace which bringefh salvation, hath appeared unto all men? 
teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we 
si? >uld live soberly, righteously and godly in this present 
world. But that this grace is given in sraeh a manner that it 
may be resisted, and. on that account the Apostles advisee 
us not to resist the Spin*, not to do despite to the Spirit 
of grace, not to grieve nor quench the spirit by livings 
in sin and hardening our hearts against the overtures 
of divine mercy. We hold that the grace of God which 
bringeth salvation is as extensive and as universal as the 
offers and calls of salvation ; and that if people perislu 
it must be for not being saved, when they might have 
been saved, else why can they be justly blamed for not be- 
lag sayed ? 

0th. They held that if any person ever had one spark 
cf this true and saving grace, they were sealed from that 
moment, unto salvation, and they never could fall from it. 
That " God did from all eternity decree to justify all 
the elect ," &e- and that " they can never fall from a state 
of 'justification ." Is not this Antmpmianism ? God will 
justify the elect let them do what they will ! what would 
be a sin In others would not be a sin in them ! In answer ^ 
the Episcopal Church hold with our Saviour, viz. that he 
that endure th to the end shall be saved ; that it is one thing 
to have the grace of God, and another thing to persevere 
in the use of it, by bringing forth the fruits of it, in a vir- 
tuous, good life and conversation : and unless we do that, 
we forfeit our inheritance. These are the five points of 
doctrine which originally caused our forefathers to dissent, 
or separate from the Church of England ; and they are the 
points in which the Congregational Presbyterians in Con- 
necticut now differ from the Episcopal Church. 

THE WORSHIP OF GOD IN THE CHURCH. 
Another ground on which our forefathers separated from 
the Church of England was, that they disliked the use of 



EELIGXON. 24$ 

the Book of Cmomon Prayer, in the worship of God. They 
held that the sacrifice of prayer, adoration, and thanksgiy- 
ing, ought not to be prepared beforehand. Psalm tunes 
were not taught, and organs and other instruments of music 
were an abomination. I remember myself to have seen 
some pious people leave the meeting-house because the 
148th psalm was sung to the tune of Lenox. But they can 
now have singing schools, learn the gayest tunes, use or- 
gans and other instruments of music ; — Stanhole and Hop- 
kins is laid aside : Tate and Braidy is laid aside : V7atts is 
almost laid aside : Barlow is laid aside : and D wight is 
now in fashion. Once I never heard a chapter read in 
one 0/ their meeting-houses in my life ; now they general- 
ly read one or two chapters on each Sunday ; but mind, it 
is by no stated rule ; they read such chapters as they 
please : and no two of them read the same chapter at the 
same time. Once I never saw a clerical dress upon one of 
their ministers ; now they frequently wear gowns and 
bands, and you can hardly distinguish them from those 
who are really in the holy orders. Once it was offensive 
to call their meeting-houses churches : now they call them 
churches, and talk of going to church, when they mean 
meeting. Once I never heard a speech made by them at 
the grave, on a funeral occasion : now it is not uncommon. 
Once I never heard of baptism or the communion admin- 
istered in a private house, even to a sick person, among 
them : and now it is sometimes done. Once I never heard 
of their administering the communion at their associations : 
and now it is sometimes done ; and now I understand ihey 
begin to ordain their Deacons. Once their ministers did 
not baptize nor administer the sacrament Qiit of their own 
parishes : and now I understand they do both, Once they 
objected to the celebration fof our Saviour's nativity on 
Christmas : now they begin to open their meeting-houses 
for worship on that day. Once they appointed their fasts 
in the spring, on Easter week ? when all the rest of the 
Christian world were rejoicing at the resurrection of our 
Saviour: now they, with us, appoint their fasts on Good 
Friday, which is the day when our Saviour was cruci- 
fied. Once they objected to kneeling in prayer, even in 
fueir family worship : now they begin to practice it. And 

21* 



246 



RELIGION. 



now they begin to keep holy Sunday Eight, which once 
they did not. And there is hardly any thing in which they 
have not been given to change; and. we are commanded not 
to meddle with them that are given to chance. 

In the Episcopal Church we think it our duty to have 
our sacrifice of prayer, praise, adoration, and thanksgiving, 
prepared beforehand ; that it be neither maimed, nor halt, 
nor hMvA ; but that it be founded on the authority of God's 
word, and the best reason of mankind; that it be perfect 
as human language can make it; that it be well under- 
stood and duly consecrated; that each one present should 
take a public, active, audible and visible part in it ; that it 
be offeredin the Church and elsewhere, upon the alter of 
our hearts, and consumed with the lire of love to God and 
J will to men, and in unison with the rest of the Ch 
Id. In the Episcopal Church, the worship of God 

containsevei he Christian Religion requires 

*• 
it fed ( sntairi : it is contained in language which every •.. 

ed in such a manner that every man, 
won . ho can speak, may speak) ere ought 

to take a public/ s n , and audible part in it. E very- 
minister is obliged to begin the public wot ihipof God with 

e senten Holy Scriptures, .and flt&t they 

may all, i i , art cf the slate, nation, country and 

wor >\ with im:. game words at 

the i selected and placed in the begin- 

ning of the daily n and e ;cning service in the 

prayer-book ; end so soon as tee minister thus begins, the 

>le congregation is required to arise and stand. The 
minister always begins with the Holy Scriptures, to shew 
feet they are the foundation of his religion, the rule of his 
faiih and conduct. The people arise and stand, to shew 
how willing they are to receive the word of God, and to go 
any where, and to do any thing to obey it, as their rising 
and standing naturally shew. The minister is then requir- 
ed to read slowly, audibly, distinctive and understan- 
Singly, a solemn exhortation, founded neon the Holy 
Scriptures, pointing out the different parts of public wor- 
ship, which they are then met together to perform, solemn- 
izing their roinds,that they should not utter any thing hasti- 
ly before God ; and exhorting them to joinwith a pure heart 



RELIGION. 247 

and humble voice in what follows. The minister and all 
the congregation are then required to kneel down devout- 
ly upon their knees., and make a humble confession of 
their sins before God and one another. The minister says, 
Almighty and most merciful Father : the whole congregation 
repeat the same words after him with a loud but humble 
voice. He then says. We have erred and strayed from thy 
ways like lost sheep : the whole congregation repeat the 
same word: with a loud but humble voice. He says, We 
have followed too much the devices and desires of our own 
hearts', the whole congregation repeat it after him,, &c. In 
this way there is a general and public confession made of 
all our sinsy both original and actual, made in such gener- 
al terms, that there is no son nor daughter of tke human 
race who cannot conscientiously join iii it; and it' is so 
particular that each one may and ought to apply it to 
his own case. God has sworn by himself, that at Uis name 
of Jesus j every knee shall how y and every tongue confess* 
Here, in the Episcopal Church, every knee, ministers and. 
people, of all nations, countries and languages in all the 
world, does bow, and every tongue does confess. St. Paul 



ITS. 



C£. 



with ike heart man oelieveth unto righteousness , and with 
the mouth confession is made unto salvation: intimating that 
it was as necessary for mankind to confess with their 
mouths ante salvation, as it was to believe in their hearts 
unto righteousness. After the confession, the priest is re- 
quired to arise and declare to the congregation, still kneel- 
iag, the glad tidings of the Gospel in the forgiveness of 
our sins, for the everlasting comfort and consolation of 
God's people. He declares, that " Almighty God } the 
Father of cur Lord Jesus Christ, will pardon and absolve all 
those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gos- 
pel." Having humbly confessed their sins, and having 
heard God's merciful forgiveness pronounced by ihe proper 
officer ; they are now prepared to call upon him in prayer. 
as their Father, not only try creation and preservation, but 
by reconciliation. The minister shall then kneel, and 
with the congregation lift \:j> his voice cloud, and with one 
accord, in the Lord's prayer, which contains, in few words ? 
all the real wants of mankind, founded upon the Chris- 
tian principle of forgiveness; that God would forgive us 



248 RELIGION. 

our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us ; 
we pray for our daily bread, which embraces all the com- 
forts of this life ; we pray that his kingdom may come, 
and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven, which em- 
braces all the means of grace in this w r orld, and the hope 
of glory in the world to come. After the Lord's prayer, 
which our blessed SaviourVias positively and expressly com- 
mandedj Luke xi. 2, that when we did pray we should say. 
We then pray for Divine assistance, and then the minister 
and all the congregation arise, and standing, he says, Glory 
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ; 
that is, glory, honour, praise, and thanksgiving, be to God 
the Father for creating us, to God the Son for re- 
deeming us, and to God the Holy Ghost for inspiring the 
Holy Scriptures, for sanctifying our natures, and fitting 
us for Go Is holy worship and service. The congregation, 
with one voice say aloud, As it was in the beginning, is 
now and ever shall be, world without end; that is, as there 
was glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving, in the Jewish 
Church, so there is now in the Christian Church, and 
there ever shall be in the Church triumphant in Heaven. 
Then shaH be -aid or sung to the glory, honor, and praise 
of God, a .portion of the Psalms of David, as it is appoint- 
ed; so that every minister and congregation shall wor- 
ship God in [the same psalms at the same time. The 
minister reads or sings one verse, and the congregation the 
next ; an 3 so on till the psalm or portion of psalms is 
ended ; \ r hen the minister shall say, as before, Glory be to 
the Father, fyc. and the congregation again say, As it was 
in the beginning, &c. Here I would observe one thing, 
which is very remarkable, and which it is probable, that 
not one person in three thousand in this country ever 
thought cf, viz. that in all the Bible, from the beginning 
of Genesis to the end of the Revelations, there is not so 
much as one verse that is in rhyme or metre. I have 
read the Bibl^ in English, Latin, Greek, and part of it in 
Hebrew, and have never been able to discover one verse 
which was in rhyme or metre ; and there is no account 
that the ^Patriarchs, or Noah, David, or the Prophets ; 
there is no aecount that our Saviour, or the Apostles or 
Primitive Christians ever did worship God in this way.-— 



The song' of Moses and Miriam, the psalms of David, the 
hymns and spiritual songs in the new Testament, are in 
prose. The art of poetry, in metre and rhyme, in the 
time of our Saviour, and in the time of the Prophets, was 
m the highest state of perfection. Homer and Ovid, and 
Virgil and Horace, are now studied in all our colleges; 
and the heathen, who used to worship gods of their own 
invention and making, used to worship them in rhyme 
and metre ; but those who worshipped the true God, al- 
ways worshipped him in prose ; and in the Episcopal 
Church it is now enjoined upon us, that we shall say or 
sing the psalms in prose, and in this way there is no one 
but can join in the sacrifice ; for if he cannot sing he can 
read ; and if he cannot read, be can learn by heart ; and if 
he gaimot learn by heart, he can say as other folks do. 
The whole book of Psalms is divided into thirty por- 
tions, so that it will be read through once in every month, 
and each minister and people read the same portion at 
the same time. The New Testament is read thro' twice 
every year r and most of the Old Testament once every 
year ; and it is so ordered that every minister shall read 
the same chapters at the same time. My limits will not 
permit me to explain the whole worship of God in the 
Episcopal Church. I can only say, that there are good and 
important reasons for every part of it. The Christian 
Church was not left as the world was before it was made, 
without form, and void, and darkness wasupon it, but it is 
reduced to a regular system. 

As we expect our bodies and souls to be glorified togeth- 
er, it is proper that we should worship God with our bodies 
as well as with our souls. The church, in her worship re- 
quires three postures of body, viz. standing, sitting and 
kneeling, and these should express the inward feelings 
and sensations of the heart. When we stand, it is to 
shew that our hearts are elevated in praise and adoration ; 
when we sit, it is to shew that we are receiving instruction 
from our Heavenly Father ; when we kneel, it is to shew 
our humility and our dependence upon God. Outward 
forms and ceremonies, without the inward feelings of the 
heart, are like a body without a souk, and are of little worth. 
The inward feelings of the heart, without outward- forms and 
ceremonies, are like a soul without a body < too etkerkS 



£50 REUGICK. 

tor such beings as we are ; they cannot be kept steadfast 
on any thing ; we never know where to find them. God 
is always the same: the general wants of all mankind are 
the same : and the public worship of God should always be 
the same. Constantly to unite in the same form of wor- 
ship is not designed to change the unchangeable God, but 
to change ourselves to the same disposition, and a same- 
ness of disposition, creates friendship in all beings and in 
all worlds, and by this says our blessed Saviour, shall all 
men know that you are my disciples, if you love one an- 
other. These very prayers have been used in the Church 
almost two thousand years ; they elevated the hearts, they 
warmed the affections, they prepared the souls of holy 
martyrs, and confessors, and primitive Christians for crowns 
of glory ; ihey were the means of grace to my ancestors 
and friends who have gone before me; they have support- 
ed me in my troubles, and carried me through many tempt- 
ations. G. that I could conform my soul mere thoroughly 
to the disposition ^nd sentiments which they contain and 
enjoin, i leave them as my beat legacy to my children, 
thai when they jorn fervently in them, they may know 
how their father felt, and learn to feel in devotion, as he 
did ; and as ail good Christians have done who have gone 
the way before (hem. 

In the Episcopal church the minister generally performs 
the service in one plaee and preaches in another ; and atone 
time he is dressed in a white surplice, at another time he 
is dressed in a b aek gown. The reason is, that he sustains 
two different offices, viz. that of a Priest and that of a Pro„ 
phet. — When he is performing the service, he is exercising 
the office of a priest : he is in the reading desk, and is 
dressed in white, and is then speaking to the Almighty in 
behalf of himself and of the people. White is to shew how ' 
pure the oPiic^ of the priesthood is, and how pure our heart 
and lives should be when we address a God of infinite 
purity and holiness. He then goes into the pulpit and is 
dressed in black, and is exercising iae office of a prophet, 
and is speaking to ijie people in behalf of the Almighty ; 
warning them of their danger, and poinfe g out to them their 
duty* Black is to shew how grave the office of a prophet 
is, and how solemn the important embassy is, which he is 
about to deliver to a guilty world ia Gad's a^me. 



INDEX, kC 



1^1 



INDEX TO THE HOLY BIBLE. 



This is very useful to ministers of the Gospel, to fam- 
ilies, individual persons, Sunday Schools, and to every 
person who wishes to search the Scriptures, and obtain 
eternal life. It brings every subject in the Bible into a 
concise view, and refers the reader to the book and chap- 
ter where it may be found. 



CHAP- 



GaN.— {4004 years before Bhrist.] 



Creation, 


1 


Formation of Man 


2 


The Fall, 


3 


Death of Abel, 


4 


Generations of Adam, 


5 


The Ark, 


6 


The Deluge, 


7 


Waters assuaged, 


8 


Death of Noah, 


9 


Noah's generations 


10 


Babel Built, 


11 


Call of Abrim, 


12 


Abram and Lot, 


13 


Battle of the Kings, 


14 


Abram's Faith, 


15 


Departure ©f Hag&r, 


16 


Circumcision, 


17 


Abraham and the angels, 


IS 


Destruction of Sodcun, 


19 


Abraham dcnieth Sarah, 


20 


Isaac is born, 


21 


Isaac offered «p, 


22 


Death of Sarah, 


23 


Isaac and Rebecca meet, 


24 


Abraham's death, 


25 


Isaac blessed, 


28 


Jacob and Eiau, 


27 


Jacob's vision and vow, 


28 


Jacob marrieth Rachel, 


29 


Birth of Joseph, 


30 


Departure of Jacob, 


31 


Jacob and the angel, 


32 



CHAP, 

Jacob and Esau meet, 33 

Shechemitea slain, 34 

Jacob's altar at Bethel, 35 

Generations of Esau, 36 

Joseph sold by his brethren, 37 

Judah's incest, 38 

Joseph and his mistress, 33 

Pharaoh's butler, &e> 40 

Pharaoh's dreams, 41 

Joseph's brethren in Egypt, 42 

Joseph entertains his brethren, 43 

Joseph's policy to his brethren, 44 

Joseph known to his brethren, 45 

Jacob goeth into Egypt, 46 

Joseph presents his brethren, 47 

Joseph goeth to his father, 48 

Jacob blesseth his sons,. 49 

Death of Joseph, 50 

exodus.— -[1570 b. c] 

The Israelites oppressed, 1 

Moses born, $ 

The burning bush, 3 

God's message to Pharaoh, 4 

The bondage of the Israelites, 5 

God's promise renewed, 6 

Moses goeth to Pharaoh, 7 

Plague of frogs, S 

j Plagues continued, $ 

Plagues continued, 10 

The Israelites borrow jewels, 11 

Passover instituted, 12 

Departure of the Israelites, V2 



232 



INDEX, &c. 



Egyptians drowned, 
The sons of Mosis, 
Manna and quails sent, 
Moses builds an altar, 
Moses meets his wife and sons, 
CJod's message from Sinai, 
The ten commandments, 
Laws against murder, 
Laws against theft, &c. 
Laws against false witness &c. 
Moses called into the mount, 
Form of the ark, 
Curtains for the ark, 
Altar of l}urnt-ofF.'rin;r, 
Aaron & his sons made priests, 
Priests consecrated, 
Ransom of souls. 
Mosesreceiveth the two tables, 
Golden calf...... Tables broken, 

God talketh with Moses, 
Tables renewed, 
Free gifts for tke Tabernacle, 
People's liberal It j restrained, 
Ark, Mercy-seat, & e. | 
bum of the offerings, 
Holy garments made, 
Tabernacle anointed, 

LEVITICUS — [1490 e. c] 

Burnt offerings, 
Meat-offerings, 

Peace-offerings, 

Sin-offerings, 

Trespass-offerings, 

Trespass-offerings, 

Law of trespass- offering, 

Aaron and his sons consecrated, 

Aaron's sin-offering, 

Nadab and Abihu slain, 

Unclean beasts, 

Purifications, 

Law of leprosy, 

Law for the leper, 

TJncleanness of issues, 

Sin-offerings, 

Blood forbidden. 

Unlawful marriages, 

Repetition of laws, 

Denunciations for sins, 

Priest's qualifies* long, 



ir, 
16 
17 

,13 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 | 

26 

27 

29 

29 

30 

32 1 

33 i 
34 
35 
3G i 
37 I 

f , 
39 ; 
40 



Nature of sacrifices, 
Feasts 'of the Lord, 
Shelomith's aon, 
The Jubilee, 
Obedience required, 
Nature of vows, 



CifAF> 

22 

23 
24 

25 
26 
27 



3i 



4, 

5 

6 ! 

7 
, 8 

9 

10 
11 
12 
13 

k- 

15 
16 
17 
18 
1? 
SO 
21 



NUM3ERS.— [1490 B. C.] 

The tribes numbered, 1 
Order of- the tribes, 5 
Levites appointed priests, 3 
The service of the Kohathites, 4 
Trial of jealousy, 5 
Law of the Nazarite, 6 
Offerings of the princes, 7 
Levites consecrated, 8 
Passover commanded, 9 
The Israelite's march, 10 
The Israelites loathe manna, 11 
"Miriam's leprocy, 12 
Delegates search the land, 13 
The people murmur at the re- 
port, . 14 
Sundry laws given, ir» 
Koroh,*Dathan, &c slain, 10 
Aaron's rod flourisheth, 17 
Portion of the priests and Lo- 

vites, 18 
Law of Purification," 19 
Moses smiteth the rock, 28 
Brazen serpent appointed, 2! 
Balak sends for Balaam, 22 
Balak's sacrifices, 23 
Balaam's prophecy, 24 
Zimri and Cozbi slain, 25 
Israel numbered, 2fi 
Death of Mo3cs foretold, 27 
Offerings to be observed, 28 
Offerings at feasts, 23 
Vows not to be broken, 30 
Midianite3 spoiled, 31 
The Renbenites and Gadites re- 
proved, 32 
Journies of the Israelites, 33 
Borders of the land appointed, 34 
Cities of refuge appointed,. 35 
Gilead's inheritance retained^ 36 

DEUTERONOMY.— [1490 B. C.] 

Closes rehearse thGod's nrormse., 1 



MfeEX.. &.C. 



253 



chap* 
$iory oftheEdoimtcs, 

Moses prayeth to see Canaan, 
An exhortation to obedience, 
Ten commandments, 
Obedience to the law enjoined, 
"Strange communion forbidden, 
God's mercies claim obedience, 
Israel's rebellion rehearsed, 9 : 

The tables restored, 10 

An exhortation to obedience, 11 
Blood forbidden, 12 

Idolaters to be stoned, 13 

Of meats, clean and unclean, 14 
Of the year of reieaf ev 15 

The feast of the Passaver, 16 

The choice and duty ot a king, 17 
The priest's portion, 18 

Cities of refuge appointed, 19 

The priest's exhortation before 

battle, 20 

Expiation of uncertain murder, 21 
Of humanity towards brethren, 22 
Divers laws and ordinances, 23 
OfDivorce, 24 

Stripes must not exceed forty, 25 
Of the offering of first-fruits, 26 
The law to be written on 

stones, 27 

Blessings and curses dclared, 28 
•God's covenant with his peo- 
ple, # 29 
Mercy promised to the peni- 
tent, 30 
Moses giveth Joshua a charge, 31 
The song of Moses, 32 
The majesty of God, 33 
Moses yieweth the land and di 
eih, 



JOSHUA.— [1451 b. c] 
Joshua succeedeth Moses, 
Rahab concealeth the spies, 
The waters of Jordan divided, 
Twelve stones for a memorial, 
Manna ceaseth, 
Jericho besieged and taken, 
Achan's sin punished, 
Joshua taketh Ai, 
The craft of the Gibeonitos, 
The sun and moon stand still, 



34 



CHAP. 

n 



13 



16 

1 7 
18 
10 
29 



Divers kings conquered, 

Names of the conquered km 

Balaam slain, 

The inheritance of the tribes. 

The borders of the lot of Judah. 

Ephraim's inheritance, 

ThelotofManasseh, 

The lot of Benjamin, 

The lot of Simeon, 

Cities of refnge, &c. 

God givech Israel rest. 

The two tribes and half sen 

home, 
Joshua's exhortation before hi 

death, 
Joshua's death and burial, 



judges.— [1425 b. c] 

The acts of Judak and Sime- 
on, 3 
The Israelites fall into idolatry, 2 
The nations left to prove Israel, 3 
Deborah and Barak deliver Is- 
rael, j 
The song of Deborah ar*l Ba- 
rak, 5 
The Israelites oppressed bv Mi- 

dian, * g 

Gideon's army, v 

The Ephraimites pacified, 8 

Abimelech made king, 9 

Tolathjudgeth Israel, 10 

Jephthah's rash vow, n 

The Ephraimites slain, ■ »2 

Samsom born, 13 

Samson's marriage and riddle 1 ± 
Samson is denied'his wife, ' 13 
Delilah's falsehood to Sanson 1 S 
Micah's idolatry, ' 17 

The Danites seek an inherit- 
ance, * jg 
The Levite and his concubine 19 
The complaint of the Levite/ ' 20 
Benjamin's dissolution bewail- 
ed, 



22 



RUTH, — [1312 u. c.J 

Elimelech driven into Moab, 
Ruth gleanethin Boaz's field, 



254 



INDEX, &(V 



Bo$z'e bounty to Ruth, 
Boaz marrieih Ruth, 

I. SAMUEL. — [1171B-. C.] 

Samuel born, 
Hannah's song, 
The Lord calleth Samuel, 
Eli*s death, 

ton fallcth before the a^k, 
The ark sent hack, 
The Israelites rep >nt, 
The Israelites desire a kin£, 

slentertaineth Saul, 
Saul annointed, 

Ammonites smitten, 
Samuel's integrity, 
reproved, 

'id, 

David slayeth Goliath, 

tb David, 

1 a us} T of David, 

n consult, 

ah, 
>aal, 
\ tiuel, 
Saul asleep, 
dec ih to Gaih, 
Gaul consults a w 
Achish dismisseth David, 
Amalekites spoil Ziklag, 
Saul and k s sons slain. 



1 1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

S 

9 
10 
13 

1 . 
13 

.■■' 



Amnon and Tamar, 
Absolem's return, 
Absolem's policy, 
Shimei curseth David, 
Ahithophel hangeth himself, 
Absalom slain byJoah, 
Shimei is pardoned, 
Sheba's revolt, 
Saul's sons hanged, 
David's thanksgiving. 
Davids fc]>\ 
Da rid nui ibereth the people, 

I. KINGS. [1017 B..C.] 

Solomon anointed king, 
David's death, 
Solomon chooseih wisdom, 
Solomon's prosperity, 
Lliram at d Solomon agree, 
The building of the temple, 



CHAf\ 
1* 

14 

J5 

1$ 
17 

18 

rj 

20 

21 

23 
24 



17 | Ornamentsof the temple, 



The temple dedicated, 

I God's covenant with Solomon 
. The queen of Sb< 
I Ahija 

\ ' 'h j ten tribt s revolt, 
I Jeroboam's hand withereth, 
! Abijah's sickness and death, 
• ain punished * 
Jericho rebuilt, 



ii. samuel-— [1056 e. c ] 

David laments Saul, 
David made king of Judab, 
Joab killelh Abner, 
Ish-bosheth murdered, 
David's age and reign, 
"Czzah smitten, 6 

God's premise ».o David, 7 

David's officer?, 8 

David sends for Mephibosheik., 9 
Hanun's villainy, 10 

David's adult ury, 11 

Naiban's parable, 12 



27 ]4 T h c w i d o w 's son rai3 e 3 , 
Elijah obtaineth rain, 
Elisha foiicweth Elijah, 
Samaria besieged, 

Nabotb BtOI 

Ahab seduced, 



ii« sixcft— [896 b. c] 

Moab rebelleth^ 

h's translation, 
Moabites defoated, 
The widow's oil multiplied, 
Naaman cleansed, 
I. A famine in Samaria, 
Plenty in Samaria, 
Ben-hadad killed, 
Jesebel eaten by dog?,. 
Prophets of Baal slain, 
Jehoash anointed king. 



:i 

4 
5 

7 
8 

9 

10 

n 

12 
13 
14 
15 

16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 



1 
2 
3. 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
« 



SNDEX, &C 



IX) 



CHAP. 

is 



fa 



Tfce temple re paired, 
Ei:sba-s death, 

Amertah reigneth, 14 

^zariah's leprosy, 15 

Almz's wicked roigo, 16 

Ten tribes taken captive, Yi 

K^bshakehs blasphemy, 13 

Hezekiah's prayer, 15 

hezekiah's death^ 20 

Manasseth'sini quity, 21 

Huldah prcphesieth, Si 
Jossiah destrrfyeth tiie Molatdr%23 

Judah taken captive, 24 

The temple destroyed, 25 

! I. CHRONICLES, [4G04 3. C.] 

Adam's line to Noah, 1 

The posteriiy of Israel, 2 

The sons o«' D;n ■•• d, 3 

The posteri iv of Judah, 4 

*The line^of' Reuben, 5 

The sons of 

The sons G»f 

The sons ci 

Genealogies 

Saul's overt! 

i/avid made 



Solomon sendetb to Hiram, 
The building of the temple, 
The v^tls of the temple, 
The temple anlshed, 
Solomon Bie^setb the people, 
Solomon's rec^mec, 

The queen of Sheba vlsitet 

Solomon, 
Behoboam made king. 
Judah strengthened, 
Eerhoboam s refgh and death, 
Ab ; jah overcOmeih Jeroboam, 
Asa destroyeth idolatry, 
Asa's covenant with God, 
Asa's death and burial, 



t*evi s t; 

Benjamin, 8 

of Israel and Judah, 9 
krow and desth, 10 
aek 1 1 



r>f 



The armies that helped David 
David fetched the ark, 
Hiram's kindness to Davk!$ 
David bring eth the ark to Zi- 

on, 
David's psalms o£ than 



Micaih's prophecy, 

Jehosaphafs care for justice, 
Jehosaphai's last and prayer, 
<7ehoram's wicked reig ? i, 
Abaziah's wicked reign, 
Joash made kin 2, 
Zechariah stoned, 
The Edomiies overcome, 
Uz-iiah's leprosy. 
| Jolham's good reign, 



15 
,16 



Nathan's message to David t 
Davids \ieton-e,' 
David's mer-age ill-treated, 
rcahbah taken and spoiled. 
The plague stayed, 
Preparation for the temple, 
.Solomon rnudeku;g. 
The order of Aaron's sons, 
The number of the singers, 
The division of the porters, 
The twelve captains, 
Da*} d's exh e rta i ion, 
David's reign ?nd dsath, 

h. crrono;' .^Sj [1015 E. c] 
•»lomoR> <GV . 



1 3 

If; 



25 
26 



23 
2i> 



Hezekiah's 



reign, 



Provision for the priests, 
Hezekiah's death, 
Manasseh's kicked reign, 
Josiah's good reign, 
Josiah slain in battle, 
Jerusalem destroyed, 

EZRA.— [536 3. C.J 

The proclamation of Cyrus, 
The people return from Ba 

Ion, 
The altar erected, 
The elecree of Artaxerxes, 
Tatna's letter to Darius, 
The temple finished, 
Ezra gpeUi io Jerusalem, 
Ezra keepeth a ft-ast, 
Ezra'-? player, 
Ezra's omv.mwg, 



10 

li 

12 

13 

H 4 

16 
lii 
17 
18 

19 

go 

21 

m 
li 

23 
27 

m 

29- 

30 

31 



35 
36 



8 



19 



236 



JKBIJC, fc<?. 



\lA\EMiAll. — [146 I). C.] * 

JSfcSiern&li monrrieia for Jeru- 
salem, 1 
Arfcaxerxes cricourageth Nehc- 

The names of the builder?, 3 

Nebemiah appointeth a watch, 1 

R jforrnation of usury, 5 

-,• nballat's practices, >'■ 

farge, 7 

The reading of the law, 8 

)rn i fast appointed, 

Mists of the covenant, 10 

?Vho dwek at Jerusalem, 11 

The high priest's ^uccess'on, 12 

J'i* ers abuse* refom 13 

ESTHER.— [521 I). C] 

Ahasoerua 1 royar feast, l 

rmadequ 2 

5Iu.in.xTi despised by Mord »cai, 3 

The mourning of the Jew , 4 
Esther obtaineth the king's fa- 
vour, 5 
Mord- cai*s gfood » : vices, 
tjaman ts hanged, 5 
The rejoicing of the Jen s, 8 
Haman's ten sons hanged, V 
iYtordecais advance-iem, 10 

Job.— [520 r>. c] 

Job's losses and temptations, 1 
Job smitten with biics, 2 

■Fob curseth the bay of his birth, 3 
Eliphaz reproveth Job, 4 

Afflictions arc from God, 5 

Job wisheth for death,- 6 

Jobexcuseth his desire of death, 7 
Bildad sheweth God'3 justice, 8 
The innocent often afSieted, 9 
Job expest-tdateth with God, 10 
Zopijar reproveth Job, 11 

God's omnipotence maintained, 12 
Job ? s eoniidencein God, 13 

The conditions of marcs life, 14 
Eliphaz reproveth Job, 1j 

Job reproveth his friends, 16 

Job's appeal to God, 17 

Bildad reproveth Job, IS 



32 

33 



Job's complaint of his friends, I J 
The portion of the wicked, f : ' 
The distraction of the wicked, ~< 
Job accused of divers sins, 5^ 
GodV decree is immutable, "Zl? 
Sin goeth often unpunished, %$ 
Man canno:be justified before 

God, 2~» 

Job reproveth Bildad, 86 

;:- : k without hope,27 
:a i- me gifl of God, 
Job I himself, ¥.) 

Job 1 - honour turned to con- 
tempt, 30 
integrity, 31 
Eiihu rep* iveUi • '•. 
Elihu reason* th with Joty-, 
j God cannot I n ju t, 
' ' n not to be made 

with I 3fi 

The justice of Gpd's ways, &*• 
God's great worka, 37 

visdom is unsearchable, 3S 
God's power in his creatures, 39 
Job humbleth himself to God, 40 
God's pow-.-r in the creation", 3* 
Job' ; age and deatlu 42 

PSALMS, — [1047 B. €.] 

Happjn eedly, V9*l>itf $ 

The kin gd o m o f C brist, -i 

The security of God's protection, 2- 
David prayeth for audience, A 
David's profession of his faith, 5- 
Davids complaint in sickness, 6 
The detraction of the wicked, 7 
God's love to man, 8 

God praised for bis judments, H 
The outrage of the wicked, 1<) 
God's providence and justice, fl 
David craveth God's Help, 12 

David boasteth of divine rnercy,! '7 
The natural man described, f& 
A citizen of Ziou described, 1> 
David's hope of his calling, IS 
David's hope and confid enc % * ? 
Divid praiseih God, 18 

David prayeth for grace, !£► 

The church's confidence in God 3* 
A thanksgiving for victory, 51 



INDEX, &C. 



257 



PSALMS. 

©avid'g eomplaiat and prayer, 22 
David's confidence in God's 

grace, 23 

God's worship in the world, 24 
David's confidence in prayer, 25 
David resorteth unto God, 26 

David's love to God's service, 27 
David blesseth God, 2S 

Why God must be honored, 29 
David's praise for deliverance, 30 
David rejoiceth in God's mer- 

ey, 31 

Who are blessed, 32 

God is to be praised, 33 

Those blessed who trust in 

God, 34 

David prayeth for his safety, 35 
The excellency of God's mercy,38 
David pursuadeth to patience, 37 
David moveth God to compas- 
sion, 38 
The brevity of life, 39 
Obedience the best sacrifice, 40 
Gad's eare of the poor, 41 
David's zeal to serve God, 42 
David prayeth to be restored, 43 
The church's complaint to God. 44 
The majesty of Christ's king- 
dom, 45 
The church's confidence in God,46 
The kingdom of Christ, 47 
The privileges of the church, 48 
Worldly prosperity contemned, 49 
God's majesty i» the church, 50 
David's prayer and confession, 51 
David's confidence in God, 52 
The natural taan described, 53 
David's prayer for salvation, 54 
David's complaint in prayer, 55 
David's promise of praise, 53 
David in prayer fieeth to God, 57 
David describeth the wicked, 58 
David prayeth for deliverance, 59 
David's comfort in God'3 prom- 
ises, 60 
David voweth perpetual ser- 
vice, 61 
>Jo trust in worldly thisgs, 62 
Davids thirst for God, 63 



PSALMS 

David's* complaint of his ene- 
. mies, . 64 

The blessedness of God's cho- 
sen, 65 
David exhorteth to praise God, 63 
A prayer for God f s U ingdom, 67 
A prayer at the removing of the 

Ark, . 68 

David's complaint in affliction, 69 
David's prayer for the godly, 70 
David's prayer for persever- 
ance, 71 
David's prayer for Solomon, 72 
The righteous sustained, 73 
David prayeth for the sanctua- 
ry, 74 
David rebuketh the proud, 75 
God's majesty in the church, 76 
David's combat with dinidence,77 
God's wrath against Israel, 78 
The psalmists complaint, 79 
David's prayer forthe church, 80 
An exhortation to praise God, 81 
David reproveth the judges, 28 
The church's enemies , S3 
David longeth for the sanctua- 
ry, _ 84 
David prayed for mercies. 85 
David's complaint of the proud, 86 
The nature and glory of the 

church, 87 

David's grievious complaint, 88 
Gcd praised for his power, 89 
God's providence set forth, 30 
The slate of the godly, 91 

God praised for his great works 92 
The majesty of Christ's king- 
dom, 93 
David's complaint of impiety, 94 
' The danger of tempting God, 95 
God praised for his greatness, 96 
The nrajesty of God, ^ 97 
All creatures exhorted to praise 

God, ; 98 

God to be worshipped, 9 f j 

God to be praised cheerfully, 100 
David's profession of godli- 
ness, 101 
GwJ T s mercies to be recorded, 102 



22* 



250 



INDEX, &C. 



PSALM3. 

God blessed for his con3tancy,103 
God wonderful in providence, 104 
The plagues of Egypt, 105 

Israel's rebellion 106 

God's manifold providence 107 
David's confidence in God 108 
David's complaint of his ene- 
mies 109 
The kingdom of Christ 110 
God praised for his works 1 1 1 
The happiness of the godly 112 ' 
God praised for his mercy 113 
An exhortation to praise 114 
The vanity of idols 115 
David studieth to be thankful 116 
(rod praised fox Ids mercy and 

truth 1*7 

David's trust in God 118 

Meditation, prayer and praise 119 
David prayeth against Doeg 120 
121 
David's joy for the church 122 
The godiy'B confidence in God 123 
The church fclcssetb Gc4 )~ l 
A prayer for the godly 195 

'Hie church prayeth for mer- 

eies * W 

The virtue of God's blessing 127 

Those ;•' ' ;V -- r P 00 * 128 

The haters of the church curs* 

,d 12D 

God'to be hoped in 130 

:, jse£h his burmhty 131 

J>avid's car? tor the ark 1 - 

Tim benefits ef the saints' 

communion ^ J|3 

An exhortation to bless God 154 
God praised tor his judgments 135 
God praised for manifold mer- 
cies jig 

The constancy of the Jews 1 37 
David's coniideucein God 138 
David derleth the wicked 139 
fovid'a prayer for deliver- 

fence . . \f. 

Da^id prayeth for sincerity 141 
B^vitj's comfort in trouble 142 
David conplaineth of his grief 143 
grid's wsayer for &s kmg ".L 

uom hA 



P3AI MS. 

God-s help to the godly 14£ 

David vowdth ptroetua! praise 

.to God 14* 

God praised for his provi- 
dence 147 
All creatures shcruM praise 

God 148- 

God praised for his benfits 14^ 
God praised upon instruments 150 

THE PROVERBS. — [1000 B. 8.} 

The use of the proverbs, chap, 1 
The benefit of wfed'om 

Exhortation to sundry duties 3 

Pursuasibns to obedience 4 

The mischiefs of whoredofci 5 

Se i en things hateful to God *> 

tion of a harlot 7 

The call of wisdom 8 

The doctrine of wiscjom '* 

Virtues and vices contrasted 10 
Continued, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 

17, r8, 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 

Observations about kings 25 

Sundry maxims 26 

Sundry maxims 27 

Observations of impiety 28 

Of public government 23 

^gur's prayer _ 30 

Lemuel's lesson of charity 31 

ECCI.ESIASTF.S.— [377 B, C.J 

1 he \ anity of all human things ! 
Wisdom and folly have one end 2 
A time forall things 3 

The good of contentment 4 

The vanity of riches 
The conclusion of vanities 6 

Remedies against vanities; 7 

Kings are to be respected. * 

Wisdom is better than strength 9 
Of wisdom and folly H* 

Directions for charrty 1* 

The preacher's care to edify 1- 



sgno or sclomoh.— [1014b. c] 
I The church's love to Christ 1 

i Christ's care of the church i 

! The church glorieth m Cnnst * 



isdbx, &e. 



259 



crap. 

The graces of the church 4 

Christ's love for his church 5 

The church's tuith in Christ 6 

The graces of the church 7 

The calling of the Gentiles 6 

isaiah.— {760 b, c] 

Isaiah's complaint of Judah 1 

Christ's kingdom prophesied 2 
The oppression of the rulers 3 
Christ's kingdom a sanctuary 4 
God's judgmen t§ for sin 5 

Iswali's vision of God's glory 6 
Christ promised 7 

Israel and Judah threatened 8 
The church's jov in Christ's 

birth 9 

God's judgments upon Israel 10 
The calling to file Gentiles 11 
Thanksgiving for God's mer- 
cies 1 2 i j 
B-afejlon threatened 13 
Israel's restoration 14 
The lamentable state ofMoab 15 
Moab exhorted to obedience IS 
Syria and Israel threatened 17 
God's care of his people IS 
The confusion of Egypt 19 
Egypt and Ethiopia's captivity 20 
The fall of Babylon 21 
Ifae invasion of Je wry 22 
Tyre's miserable overthrow 23 
Judgments of Cod for sin 24 
The prophet praiseth God 25 
A song of praise to God 28 
God's care of his vineyard 27 
Ephraim threatened 28 
God's judgment on Jerusalem 29 
God's mercies towards his 

church SO 

An exhortation to turn to God 31 
Desolation foreshown 32 

The privileges of the godly 33 
God revengeth his church 34 

The blessings of the gospel 35 
Itabshakeh inpdteth Hezekiah 36 
Ilezekiah's prayer 37 

Hezekiah's thanksgiving 38 

Jk&aJe&ian captiyiiy foretold 39 



The promulgation of the gos- 
pel 4G 

God's mercies to his church 41 
Christ's mission to the Gen- 
tiles 42 ; 
God comforteth his ehwrreh' 4$- 
The vanity of idols 44~ 
God calleth Cyrus 4F 
Idols not to be compared with 

God 46 

God's judgment upon Babylon 47 
The intent of propbeey 43 

Christ sent to the Gentiles 49s 
Christ's sufferings & patience 50 
The certainty of God's salva- 

vation' 51 

Christ's free redemption 53- 

The humiliation of Christ 53 

The church's enlargement 54 
The nappy state of believers . 55 
Exhortation to holrness 56 

God reprcveih the Jews 57 

Hypocricy reproved S3 

The covenant of the Redeemer 59 
The glory of the church 60 

The office of Christ 61 

God's promises to his church 62" 
Christ sheweth his power to 

save G3 

The church's prayer 64 

The calling of the Gentiles, 65 
The growth of th:* church 66 



je&emiak.-— [G29 b. c] 

The calling of Jeremiah 1 

Israel is spoiled for his sin3 2 

God's mercy to Judah £, 

Israel called to repentance 4 
God's judgments upon the Jews 5 

Enemies sent against: Judah £ 
Jeremiah's call for repentance 7 

The calamities of the Jews 8 

Jeremiah's lamentation 9 

The vanity of idefs X9 

God's covenant proclaimed 11 

The prosperity of the wicked \% 

An exhortation to repentance 13 

The prophet's prayer 14 

Jeremiah's* complaint 15» 



260 



ItfBEX, &3* 



CHAP. 

T^he utter ruin of the Jews 16 

The cavtivity of Judah 17 

T^he type ©f the potter 18 

Tke desolation of the Jews 19 

Pashur smiteth Jeremiah 20 

Nebuchadnezzar's war 21 

The judgment of Shallum 22 

Restoration of God's people 23 

The type of good and bad tigs 24 

Jeremiah reproveth the Jews 85 

Jeremiah is arraigned 26 

Nebuchadnezzar's conquests 27 

llanamah's prophecy 28 

Jeremiah's letter 29 

The return of the Jews 30 

The restoration of Israel 31 

Jeremiah imprisoned 32 

Christ the Branch promised 33 

Zedekiah's fate foretold 34 

God blesseth the Rechabites 35 

Jeremiah's prophecies -S6 

The Chaldeans' siege raised 37 

Jeremiah cast into a dungeon 38 

Jerusalem is taken 39 

Jeremiah set at liberty 40 

Ishmaelkiileth Gedafiah 41 

Johanan promiseth obedience 42 

.Jeremiah carried into Egypt 43 

Judah's desolation 44 

Baruch comforted 45 
Overthrow of Pharaoh's army 46 

The Philistines' destruction 47 

The judgment of Moab 48 

The restoration of Elam 49 

The redemption of Psrael 50 

God's severe judgment §1 

Zedekiah's wicked reiga 52 

LAMENTATIONS. — [584 B. C.J 

Jerusalem's misery 1 

Israel's misery lamented 2 

Sorrows of the righteous 3 

Z ion's pitiful estate 4 

Z ion's complaint 5 

E3EKIEL. — [595 B. C.J 

Ezekiel's vision 1 

Ezekiel's commission f 2 

Ezekiel eateth the roli 3 



CilAK 

The type of a siege 4 

The type of hair 5 

Israel threatened 6 

Israel's desolation 7 

Vision of jealousy 8 

The marked preserved 

Visions of coals of fire 10 

The princes' presumption 11 

The type of removing 12 

Lying prophets 13 

Idoiators exhorted 14 

The rejection of Jerusalem 15 

God's love to Jerusalem W 

The eagles and the vine 17 

Parable of sour grapes IS 

Of the lion's whelps 19 

Israel's rebellions 20 

Prophecy against Jerusalem 21 

Jerusalem's sins %2 

Aholah and Ahoiibah 23 

Jerusalem's destruction 24 

Ammonites threatened 25 

The fall of Tyrus 26 

Tyrus' rich supply 27 

Zidon threatened 28 

The judgment of Pharaoh 29 

Desolation of Egypt 30 

The glorv and fall of Assyria 31 

The fall of Egypt 32 

Ezekiel admonished 33 

God's care of his flock 34 

Judgment of Seir 35 

Israel comforted 36 

Vision of dry bones 37 

The malice of Gog 38 

Israel's victory over Gog 39 

Desciption of the temple 40 

Ornaments of the tempie 41 

The priests' chambers 42 

Return of God's glory 4£ 

The priests reproved 44 

Division of the land 45 

Ordinances of the princes 46 

Vision of the holy waters 4-7 

Portions of the twelve tribe* 4$ 

DANIEL. — [607 B. C.J 

Jehoiakim's captivity X 

Faniel advanced ■<£ 



I&EEX, &C; 



261 



CHAP, j 

Skailrscb, Meshact, and Abed- j 

nego 3 ; 
Nebuchadnezzar's pride and fall 4j 

Bel^bazzar's impious feast 5 

Daniel in the lion's den 8 

Vision of four beasts 7 

Vision of the ram 8 

Ifanxel's concession 'J 

Panic! comforted 10 

Overthrow of Persia 11 

Israel's deliverance 12 

GOS£A.- [735 B. C.] 

3fndgments for whoredom 1 

The idolatry of the people 2 

JThe desolation of Israel 3 

Judgment threatened 4 

Israel a treacherous people 5 

Exhortation to repentance ^G 
jReproof of niariifold sins 
Israel threatened 
Captivity of Israel 



Israel', 



s impiety 



/ 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

r 'l3 

14 



Israel's ingratitude to God 
^hraim re.nrOved 
^phrain> f a glory vanished 
Inessings promised 



Joel.— [800 b. c] 

God's sundry judgments 1 

Exhortation to repentance 2 

fitod's judgments against his 

people's enemies 3 

amos.— [736 c. c] 

Goci's judgment upon Syria 1 

God'a Wrath against Moab 2 

rfudgments against Israel 3 

God reproveth Israel 4 

A lamentation for Israel 5 

Irael's wantonness plagued 6 

Judgments of the grasshoppers 7 

Israel'? end typified 8 

ffefaei's restoration promised 9 

03ADUH. [587 B. C.] 

Edotn's destruction for their 
pride and Violence 1 



JONAH, — [382" b. c] 

, Jonah sent to Nineveh 1 

I The prayer of Jonah 2 

! The Ninevites' repentance 5 

: Jonah repines- at God's mercy 4 

MIC AH.— [750 B. C,] 

God's wrath against Jacob X 

Against oppression 2E 

The cruelty of the princes 3 

The church's glory 4 

The birth of Christ 5- 

God ? 3 controversy 6- 

The church's complaint 7 

SfAHUMi — [713 B. C] 

The majesty of God 1 

Cbd's armies against NineVah 2 

The ruin of Nmevah & 

HABAKE.UX. [626 B. C.J 

Habakkuk's complaint I 

Judgment on the Chaldeans 2 

Habuakkuk's prayer 3 

ZEPHANIAK.— [630 B. C.] 

God's severe judgments I 

Exhortation to repentance 2 

Jerusalem sharply reproved - % 

HAGGAI. — [520 B. C.] 

The people reproved 1 

Glory of the second temple 5" 

ZF.CHAIUAH. [520 B. C.] 

Exhortation to repentance 1 

Redemption of Zion 2 

The type of Joshua 3 

The golden candlestick 4 

Curse of thieves 5 

Vision of the chariots f 

Captives' inquiry of fasting 7 

Jerusalem's restoration -ft 

The coming of Christ # 

God to be sought unto 1*0 

Destruction of Jerusalem 11 

Judah's restoration i$ 



m% 



INDEX, &sd. 



CHAP. 

Jerusalem's repentance 13 

Jerusalem's enemies plagued 14 

MALACHI.— [3d* B. B,] 

tsrael's unkindness 1 

The priests reprov d 2 

The majesty li Christ 3 

Judgments of the wicked 4 

MATTHEW. — [v. V. 33.] 

T Be genealogy of Const 1 

Christ's nativity 2 
Th«i preachi »g of John Baptist 3 

Christ tern 4 

Christ's sen . n on the mount 5 

Oi' alms andpn 6 

Rash judgment ; r ved 7 

Christ's mtr. ■ 8 

Matthew c 9 

The aposi orth li' 

John sendet^ to Chri 11 
Blasphemy the Holj 

Ghost " " 12 | 
Parable of rtj 13 | 
John Baptist b 2 i aded 14 ; 
The scribes • jrored 
The sign of a 16 
Transfiguration of Ci>r*ct 13 
Christ teacheth IB 
Christ heuleii t 
The labourers r> the vineyard 20 
The fig-tree pursed 21 
The marriage of the king's son 22 
The Pharisees exposed 23 
Destruction oi the temple fore- 
told 2! 
Parahle of to i virj ris 25 
Judas betrayed 26 
Christ crucified 27 
Christ's rcsuireeiion 20 



MARK. [A. D. 65.] 

Baptism of Christ 
Matthew called 



The apostle* 
1 J arable of 1 
Christ heal: 
Christ walk* 

The Svropn 



: no sen 



he bloody issue 



CHAK 

The multitude fed £ 
Jesus transfigured 9 
1 Children brought io Christ 10 
The ban-en fig-bee 11 
The widow and her two mites 12 
The destruction of the tem- 
ple foretold 13 
j Peter dineth his master 14 
I Crucifixion of C 1 5 
Resurrection of Christ 16 

luke. — [a. d. 03.] 

Christ's conception l 

Christ's circumcision 2 

John's testimony of Christ 3 

Christ tempted by Satan 4 

Miraculous draught of fishes 5 

The twelve apostles choseij Tr 

Christ's testimony of John 7 

(laughter raised 8 

How to attain eternal life 9 

i sen^ out 10 

A dumb devil cast out 11 

s to he avoided 12, 

man healed 13 

The great supper 14 

The prodigal son 15 

The unjust steward 16" 

The power of faith 17 

The importunate widow 18 

Raccheus called 19 

Parablable of the vineyard 20" 

The widow's two mites 21 

Christ condemned 22 

Christ's death and burial 2$ 

Christ's resurrection 24 

johx.— [a. d< G3.J 

The divinity of Christ 

Water turned int:> wine 2 

1 Necessity of rege nation $ 

The woman of Samaria 4 

The impotent man healed 5 

Five thousand fed & 

Christ teacheth in the temple T 

Christ's doclrinr. justified & 

The blind healed * 

Christ the good shephwi l# 



vmfex, &<5. 



283 



CHAP. 

Lazarus raised 11 

Christ foretetleth his death 12 

Christ's humility 13 

The comforter promised 14 

Christ the true vine ^ 15 
Christ warneth his disciples of 

their sufferings 16 
Christ's prayer 17 
Jesus betrayed 18 
Christ's death and burial 1 3 
Christ's resurrection 20 
Christ appeareth to his disci- 
ples 21 

ACTS, — {a. b. 33.] 

Matthias chosen 1 

Peter's sermon 2 

The lame healed 3 

Peter and John imprisoned 4 

Ananias and Sappira 5 

Seven deacons chosen & 

■Stephen stoned 7 
Phfciip pianteth the church in 

Samaria 8 

Saul's conversion 9 

Peter's vision 10 

Peter's defence 11 

Herod killeth James 12 

Paul preacbeth at Antioch 13 

Paul stcned 14 

Circumcision disputed 15 

Timothy circumcised 16 

Paul persecuted 17 

Paul preacheth at Corinth 18 

Exorcists beaten 19 

Eutychus raised to life 20 

Paul goeth to Jerusalem 21 

Paul's defence 22 

Paul smitten 23 

Paul accused before Felix 24 

Paulappealetli to Cesar 25 

Agrippa almost a christian 26 

Paul shi wrecked 27 
A viper fastens on Paul's hand 28 

ROMANS. — [A. D. 60.] 

Paul greeteth the Romans 1 

Who are jestified 2 

Justification by faith 3 I 



Abraham's faith aocep t s bie 4 

Sin and death came by Adam 5 

Dying to sin € 

The law not sin 7 
What frees from condemnation $ 

Calling of the Gen tiles S 

Paul's prayer for Israel 10' 

Ail Israel are noi: cast off 1 1 

Love required i2 

Love the fulfilling of the law 13 

Plow to use christian liberty 14 

The intent of the scriptures 15 

Paul's salutations 16 

I. CORINTHIANS. — [A. D. 5S.J 

'The wisdom of God 1 

Christ the foundation 2 

Christians are God's temple 3 

Distinctions are from God 4 

The incestuous person 5 

Law forbid brethren % 

Paul treateth of marriage 7 

Of meats offered to idols 8 

Paul's zeal to gain converts 9 

Old examples 10 

Rules for divine worship II 

Spiritual gifts are diverse 12 

Charity commended 13 

Of strange tongues 14 

Of Christ's resurrection 15 

Paui commendeth Timothy IS 

II, CORINTHIANS. — [a. D. 60] 

Consolation la trouble 1 

Paul's success in preaching 2 

The excellency of the gospel S 

The chris tian's paradox 4 

Paui assured of immortality 5 

Exhortations to purity . ft 

Godly sorrow profitable 7 

Liberality extolled 8 

Bounty praised 9 

Paui'3 spiritual might 10 

Paul's godly boasting 11 

Paul's revelations YZ 

Paul's charge IS 

galationSc-— -[a. d. 58.] 

Of their leaving the gospel I 



264 



SNDE'X, ki. 



CHAP 

Peter reproved 2 

Justification by faith S 

Christ frceth us from the law 4 

The liberty of the gospel 5 

Lenity recommended 6 

EPHESIANS. — [A. D, 64.] 

OF election and adoption 1 

Christ our peace 2 

The hidden mystery 3 

Exhortation to unity 4 

Exhortation to love 5 

The christian armour 6 

rmurpiANS. — [a. d. G4] 

Paul's prayer to God 1 

Exhortation to humility] 2 

All loss for Christ 3 

General exhortations 4 

COLL0SSIANS.— [a*D. G4] 

Christ described l 

Exhortation to constancy 2 

Household duties 3 

Prayer recommended 4 

I. THESSALONIANS. — [a. D. 54] 

History of their conversion 1 
How the gospel was preached 

to the Thessalonians 2 

Paul's love in sending Tiniothy 3 

Exhortation to holiness 4 

Description of Christ's coining 5 

II. THESSALONIANS. — [a. D. 54] 

Comfort against persecutions 1 

Of steadfastness in the truth 2 

To avoid idleness 3 

I. TIMOTHY. — [A. D. 65,] 

Paul's charge to Timothy 1 

Prayers made for all men 2 

Of bishops and deacons ' 3 

Apostacy foretold ' 4 

Of widows and elders 5 

The gain of godliness 6 



ClfAFr 
II. T1MOTHT.— [A, D. €6.] 

Paul's love to Timothy x 

Exhortation to Timothy' 2 

All scripture inspired * ' :\ 

Qualifications of ministers 4 

titus.— [a. d. 65.] 

Qualifications for ministers 1 

Christian's duty 2 
Paul directeth'what to teach 

and what not *J 

PHILEMON. [ — a. d. 64] 

Philemon's faith commended 1 

Hebrews. — [a. d. 64] 

Christ far above angels l 

Obedience due to Christ 2 

Christ above Moses ! 3 

The Christian's rest 4 

Of Christ's pricsthhood 6 

The danger of apostacy G 

Tvlelchisedek and Christ 7 

A new covenant S 

The saerifices of the law 9 

Christ's perfect sacrifice 10 

The power of faith 1 1 

Diver3 exhortations 12 

Obedience to spiritual rulers 13 

JAMES. — [a. d. 60] 

Wisdom to be sought of God 1 

Of faith and works 2 

The truly wise 3 

Against covetousness 4 

The trial of faith 5 

I. PETER. — [A. D. 60] 

Of God's spiritual graces 1 

Christ the corner stone 2 

Duty of wives and husbands 3 

Of ceasing from sin 4 

The duty of elders * 

II. PETER. — [A. D. 60] 

Exhortation to duties \ 



IK&BX, &C. 



Mh 



Certainty of Judgment 
False -teacher* foretold 

[i. joiin. — [a. d. SO] 
Christ's person described 
Christ our advocate and propi- 

-tiatinn 
God's great love 
Try the spirits 
The three witnesses 

II. JOHN.— [A. D. 90j 

An elect lady exhorted 

in. John.— [a. d. 60] 
Caius'e piety commended 

jcde. — [a. r>. 66.] 
Of constancy in faith 

REYELATION, — [a. D. 96] 

0/ the coming of Christ ' 



-1 I 



Balaam 1 ;* obefrfrte 
The key of David 

The vision of a throne 
The book with seven seals 
The seven seals opened 
The number of the sealed 
Seven angels with trumpets 
A star fauetli from heaver. 
The book eaten. 
The two w&a esses 
The red dragon 
The beast with seven heads 
The harvest of the world 
The seven angels with the se- 
ven last plagues 
Of the vials of vrath 
The scarlet whore 
The fall of Babylon 
The Lamb's marriage 
The first resurrect ion 
The heavenly Jurusalcm descrl 

i>ed 
The tree of life 



6 

7 
g 

9 

to 

13 
14 

15 
J 6 

17 
'18 
19 



2l 



Blessed Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be 
written for our learning ; grant that we may in such wise 
r ear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, 
that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may 
embrace and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlas- 
ting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; who hath mercifully taught, and expressly com- 
manded us, that w r hen we did pra>\ we should say. Our 
Father who art in Heaven, &c. 



23 



266 CONTLtfSIOXV. 

TO THE READER. 

If you have read this book with becoming attention, 
you cannot but perceive it to be one of the most extraor- 
, duiarj cases of persecution and abuse which has ever been 
loaded upon any man in any country. A clergyman who 
had filled some of the most important stations in the Church 
in the United States- whose ministerial labours had been 
wonderfully blessed and successful — against whom his very 7 
enemies were obliged to confess that they had nothing, and 
(faat his character and authority were good : yet, on account 
of politics, is by these very men forbidden to preach with- 

; hearing or trial — is by them persecuted and distressed 
lor almost 20 years, though he still prevailed against them ; 
till at length by calling in the aid ot the civil law to sanc- 
tion the usurped authority of the Church — he is on the 
'- nd base accusations which ever disgraced the 

of any court — he is tried by the very Judge who 
had been his principal persecutor — is by him deprived of 
the constitutional right of confronting the principal witness 
.(seepage 141) — important papers and docu 

mts, the undeniable evidence of his innocence, were on 
trial, withheld and concealed, and the court directed the 
trial to proceed without them, (see page 126) — he is par 
tiaHy and unfairly tried — unjustly and cruelly taken from 

people, where the wardens testified before the court, 

>r about six years then last past, they had never 

kii&wri or heard of a voice or a vote against him, in his 

isj, except one' man, (see page 101), — he is unjustly 
condemned and imprisoned in Norwich Jail, in Connecti- 
cut, iii two years,' (see page 144). On the 27th day of 
May 1 823, the witnesses came into the Senate Chamber, 
in the city of Hartford, were sworn and examined before 
a Joint Committee of both Houses of the Hon. General 
Assembly, and then and there did fully and freely confess 
that their whole testimony on which he had been condem- 
ned and imprisoned, was utterly false; and that they had 
boeri overpersuaded and hired to commit wilful and cor- 
rupt perjury, (see page 172.) This testimony and confes- 
sion were supported by the testimony of others, and the 



innocence of the accused could not but be apparent «o ev- 
ery unprejudiced mind. 

Many of the most respectable inhabitants of Middiebu- 
ty, in Vermont, have seen, examined, and compared the 
original documents transcribed and referred to in this 
book, and by their certificate dated Middiebury January 
19, 1830, they do not hesitate in declaring the said docu- 
ments to be correct and true, and to nave eminated from 
proper authority ; and that the prosecution and proceedings 
were of a character the most extraordinary that had ever 
come to their knowledge. 
Signed by 

EBEN W. JUBD, 
DORASTUS WOOSTER, 
JONATHAN HAGAR, 
J. W. COPELAND. 
NATHANIEL FOSTER, 
and others. 

TO SUBSCRIBERS, PURCHASERS A?W PATRONS, OF THE 
FIRST, SECOND $ THIRD EDITION OF MY MEMOIRS. 

Please to accept my grateful acknowledgments of the 
candour, which you have manifested in lending an ear to 
hear the complaints of a fellow-citizen, who is also a fel- 
low christian. All mankind are naturally and mutually 
dependant upon God and upon each other. It has fal- 
len to me, to appeal to you and to the world, as arbiters^ 
in a case, wherein I, my children and friends, claim to 
have been extremely injured, in defending our just rights 
znd those -of society. How far my complaints aare well 
founded, you must and will judge for yourselves, when 
you have read this book ; and how far you are interested 
in the case, may be inferred by considering what would 
be the effect upon society, if all were to turn their eyes 
and to stop their ears, from the complaints of their fellow- 
creatures. If any apology be necessary for what I have 
stated in regard to the Congregational Presbyterians in 
Connecticut, and in favor of the Episcopal Church; let if 
be remembered, that Mr. Lanman, the State's Attorney, 
£am plained of me, for being a preacher, prttendecUy of tnc 



2.^2 ^206 CONCLUSION. 

Christian ReUgion ! asthoUhe whole Episcopal Church was 
only the pretended Christain Religion ; & twelve men under 
oath, in New-London County, in Conn, in 1820, have de- 
clared that it was true ; and they Raid it with as much pro- 
priety, and no more, than they said the other charges 
against me were true. I can truly say, that the great wish 
of my heart has been to be a good man, true and trusty. — 
The great object of my preaching is, and has been, to rep- 
resent the God of Heaven, in the most amiable and pleas- 
ing point of view possible, and to persuade myself and 
all others, from the disposition of the heart, to love hinr 
and to imitate him. I have been beloved of my Heavenly 
Father and favored with ten thousand blessings ; for which, 
like Joseph of old, I have been haled by my brethren, and in 
one sense, sold into Egypt ; but, like Baron Trenck, T 
have come out of Jail, and walk proudly before Kings and 
the whole world ! My friends are glad to see me, and to 
treat me with respect ; my enemies are ashamed and afraid, 
and hide themselves from my presence. More than 2000 
people, east of Hartford in Connecticut, subscribed to have 
my Memoirs printed, and hive received them. About 
1500 in the county of Saratoga, where I used to reside, 
and in that neighborhood, have subscribed to have them 
re-printed. The design is to promote the cause of truth 
and justice, and to suppress lying, perjury, wickedness, 
and vice. / know that this book is true, and there is hard- 
ly a fact of importance which is not supported by the tes- 
timony of witnesses who are now living, and certified bv 
the civil authority of the state. AMMI ROGERS 

I beseech thee, O Merciful God, to grant that this book 
may be entertaining and useful to all who will read it, or 
hear it read : be pleased to give us patience and resigna- 
tion in all our afflictions, to direct us in all our doings with 
thy most gracious favor ; guard us from all error, and lead 
us into all truth and righteousness, and at last receive us 
into that blessed and happy world where ail tears shall be 
wiped from all eyes, and where one unclouded day of bliss 
and glory shall surround us forever and ever : grant it, O 
Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's sake.— Amen. Qar 
Fathar who art in Heaven, &c. Amen, 



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